Player of the Week - April 12, 2010

Sidney Crosby's 109 points tied him for second in scoring and his 51 goals was tied for first in the league. (Getty Images)

The Hockey News player of the week for the period of April 5-11, 2010, is Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby.

Just in time for the playoffs, Crosby has been buzzing, popping in 15 points in five games, including 12 in the four games played last week.

First, in a showdown with Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals, Crosby got in on every Penguins tally, scoring a goal and adding two assists in a losing effort.

Two nights later against the lowly Islanders, Crosby had a four-point night accentuated by three assists in a 7-3 victory.

After a stunning 1-0 loss to Atlanta Saturday, Crosby and the Pens finished the regular season off with an offensive barrage, taking the Islanders 6-5 in overtime. Crosby scored goals 50 and 51 in the win and also put up his third three-assist game in his past five contests. The effort tied Crosby with Tampa’s Steven Stamkos for the Rocket Richard Trophy and also evened him with Alex Ovechkin for second in the points race behind Henrik Sedin, with 109.

The Penguins finished second in the Atlantic, fourth in the Eastern Conference with 101 points and will open their first round series against the Ottawa Senators Wednesday at Mellon Arena.