Erik Karlsson's power-play goal carries Penguins past Devils, 7-3

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Erik Karlsson scored a power-play goal and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New Jersey Devils 7-3 on Saturday.

Rickard Rakell scored his team-leading 31st goal. Connor Dewar scored twice, and Philip Tomasino, Kevin Hayes and Danton Heinen also scored.

With an assist, Sidney Crosby tied Wayne Gretzky for the fourth-most points with a single franchise. Crosby also recorded his 12th 50-assist season, equaling Adam Oates for 8th in NHL history. He has points in 10 straight home games.

Tristan Jarry made 24 saves for his fourth straight win since he was recalled from the American Hockey League earlier this month. Jarry has stopped 123 of his last 130 shots faced.

Nico Hischier and Timo Meier scored power-play goals for the Devils. Cody Glass also had a goal. Nathan Bastian’s short-handed goal was called back on a challenge because he was offside.

Jesper Bratt had his third straight three-point game with three assists, matching the longest streak in franchise history. He has 60 assists this season, which equals Scott Stevens’ franchise record. Bratt has two goals and nine points in his last three games.

Jacob Markstrom stopped 16 shots.

Devils: New Jersey was unable to win four straight for the first time this season. The Devils lost three consecutive games prior to their three-game win streak.

Penguins: Pittsburgh won four straight games for the first time since a four-game win streak from Nov. 27-Dec. 3. The Penguins have five wins and points in six of their last nine games.

Karlsson’s power-play goal gave Pittsburgh needed insurance. Meier and Hischier scored power-play goals earlier in the period for New Jersey, which turned a 4-1 hole into a one-goal deficit.

Pittsburgh snapped a six-game home losing streak against the Devils dating back to Oct. 20, 2021.

New Jersey visits Columbus on Monday and Pittsburgh hosts the Islanders on Tuesday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Pittsburgh Penguins' Rickard Rakell (67) reacts to getting hit by a high stick from New Jersey Devils' Brett Pesce, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan stands behind his bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Connor Dewar, center, returns to the bench after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Rickard Rakell (67) celebrates with Sidney Crosby (87) after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Danton Heinen (43) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Danton Heinen (43) goes airborne over New Jersey Devils' Jacob Markstrom and backhands a shot for a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Connor Dewar (19) gets a shot past New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) for a goal with Brian Dumoulin (2) and Nico Hischier (13) defending during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by New Jersey Devils' Luke Hughes (43) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby prepares to take a face-off during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Rickard Rakell (67) celebrates with Sidney Crosby after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Veteran Australia batter Usman Khawaja has announced he will retire from international cricket after the fifth Ashes test beginning Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He didn't go quietly.

The Pakistan-born Khawaja, who was the first Muslim to play for Australia, used his retirement announcement Friday to criticize the “racial" stereotyping he experienced during his career.

It will be the 39-year-old Khawaja's 88th and final test — played at the ground where he began his first-class career. Khawaja scored his first Ashes century at the SCG with 171 against England in 2018.

It was also at that the SCG where he revived his career at age 35, scoring two centuries against England. That prompted one of the great late-career revivals, as Khawaja hit seven centuries in his next two years back in the side.

But Khawaja’s position had come under scrutiny and criticism this season after being unable to open in the first Ashes test in Perth due to back spasms and then missing the Brisbane test with the injury.

He was then initially left out in Adelaide until Steve Smith’s vertigo allowed Khawaja to return, before an 82 in the first innings there ensured he would stay in the side for the fourth test in Melbourne. Australia, with a 3-1 lead going into the fifth test, has retained the Ashes.

Khawaja said he felt he was treated “a little bit different, even to now,” because of his Pakistan and Muslim background.

"Different in the way I’ve been treated, different in how things have happened,” he said at a media conference in Sydney. “I had back spasms, it was something I couldn’t control. The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me . . . I copped it for about five days straight. Everyone was piling in.

“Once the racial stereotypes came in, of me being lazy, it was things I’ve dealt with my whole life. Pakistani, West Indian, colored players...we’re selfish, we only care about ourselves, we don’t care about the team, we don’t train hard enough."

Khawaja said he knew the end of his career was imminent.

“I guess moving into this series, I had an inkling this would be the last series," he said. "I’m glad I can go out on my own terms.”

Khawaja has scored 6,206 runs at an average of 43.49 in his 87 tests with 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries.

“Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket both through his outstanding achievements as one of our most stylish and resilient batters . . . and off field, particularly through the Usman Khawaja Foundation,” Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said in a statement.

“Usman has been one of Australia’s most reliable opening batters and testament to his success was him being named ICC test cricketer of the year the same season that Australia won the World Test Championship (in 2023).”

Khawaja said his No. 1 emotion on announcing his retirement was “contentment.”

“I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. "I hope I have inspired people along the way.”

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja with his wife Rachel and daughters Aisha and Ayla after announcing that he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja, centre, sits with teammates after announcing he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja warms up during a practice session ahead of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Travis Head, right, is congratulated by teammate Usman Khawaja after reaching 50 runs during play on day three of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

Australia's Usman Khawaja sign autograph to fans after they won the third Ashes cricket test match against England in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (AP Photo/James Elsby)