Player of the Week - Dec. 6

The Hockey News player of the week for the period of Nov. 29-Dec. 5 is Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins played three games on the week - all wins – and Crosby was an important player in each.

First was Monday’s game in Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers. In a 3-1 win, Crosby notched one assist in 19:53 of ice time, but the best was yet to come.

Three nights later against Atlanta the Penguins escaped with a 3-2 win all thanks to Crosby’s second hat trick of the year. He logged 20:27 of ice time and his game-winning goal was his second of the season.

Finally, in Saturday’s win against Columbus, Crosby added two more goals in only 17:52 of ice time, his lowest minute count since a game against Carolina Oct. 30.

With five goals and six points in three games on the week, Crosby remains atop the Art Ross race with 46 points, six ahead of Steven Stamkos. Crosby’s hot week also pushed him ahead of Stamkos in the Rocket Richard race as Crosby’s 23 goals is tops in the league as well.