Walker's OT goal lifts Hurricanes past Penguins 6-5 in matchup of Metropolitan Division's top teams

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sean Walker scored with 28.3 seconds left in overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes beat Pittsburgh 6-5 on Wednesday night, spoiling Sidney Crosby’s return to the Penguins' lineup.

Jackson Blake had a goal and two assists, Logan Stankoven, Taylor Hall and Walker each had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes. Jordan Martinook and K’Andre Miller also scored and Nikolaj Ehlers finished with three assists. Frederik Andersen made 30 saves.

Erik Karlsson had two goals and an assist, Crosby added a goal and an assist, and Bryan Rust and Ben Kindel also scored for Pittsburgh. Stuart Skinner stopped 38 shots in the second matchup in nine nights between the top teams in the Metropolitan Division that went beyond regulation.

Pittsburgh completed a 2-1-2 trip that began with last week’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Eastern Conference- and Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes.

Each team scored twice in the final 7:01 of regulation, beginning with Stankoven’s goal and capped by Miller’s score with 2:51 left. In between, Karlsson and Kindel scored in a 23-second span.

Walker’s goal was his third in an eight-game stretch.

After Stankoven’s goal with 7:01 left gave the Hurricanes a 4-3 lead, Karlsson and Kindel scored 23 seconds apart for the Penguins.

Crosby missed 11 games after suffering a lower-body injury while playing for Canada in the Milan Cortina Olympics. He logged about 18½ minutes in his return, scoring the Penguins’ first goal midway through the second period. It was his 28th of the season.

Karlsson’s tying goal 59 seconds into the third came on a 5-on-3 power play to begin a period that included seven total goals.

Martinook’s short-handed goal was the only scoring in the first period.

Penguins: Host Winnipeg on Saturday.

Hurricanes: At Toronto on Friday.

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Pittsburgh Penguins' Bryan Rust (17) looses control of the puck as he collides with Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis (24) beats Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) but misses the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) comes to congratulate teammate Erik Karlsson, left, on his goal with Rickard Rakell, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Sean Walker, center, celebrates his game winning overtime goal with teammates Sebastian Aho (20) and Seth Jarvis (24) at an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho (20) controls the puck in front of Pittsburgh Penguins' Rickard Rakell (67) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates his goal along the bench during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL game, in Edmonton on Friday, March 6, 2026. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sidney Crosby is back.

The Pittsburgh Penguins' captain was productive almost immediately in his return to the lineup Wednesday night after missing nearly a month with a lower-body injury sustained while competing for Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Crosby had a goal and an assist, but it wasn't enough as the Penguins lost 6-5 in overtime to the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes.

But, the game was a valuable step for the team’s scoring leader.

“Definitely some rust,” Crosby said. “You’ve just got to find a way to make sure you adapt as soon as possible. Every game is so big. To come back at this point in the year, you’ve got to find a way to get that timing and make sure my game is where it needs to be.”

The 38-year-old Crosby logged about 18½ minutes. His team-high 28th goal tied the game at 1 midway through the second period. He assisted on Erik Karlsson’s tying goal in the third period, pushing his points total to 61 in 57 games.

Crosby was injured four weeks ago when his right leg buckled during a collision with Czechia’s Radko Gudas during Canada’s quarterfinal victory.

Penguins coach Dan Muse said Crosby found a good rhythm quickly.

“I thought that Sid’s line was good,” he said.

Crosby also spent time in the penalty box — in the second period for roughing and in the third for tripping.

The Penguins and Hurricanes combined for seven third-period goals.

“Some lead changes, things like that,” Crosby said. “But sometimes that’s what the game dictates and obviously it’s about winning at the end of the day, so we’ve got to find a way to win that game.”

The Penguins, eying their first playoff spot since 2022, went 5-3-3 during Crosby’s 11-game absence.

“It’s never easy watching, but I think you gain even more appreciation when you’re up top, and you just see on a nightly basis, the way we compete, the way we work,” Crosby said before the game.

The Penguins, who are second in the Metropolitan Division, completed a 2-1-2 trip. Crosby will play in a home game for the first time since Feb. 2 when the Penguins meet Winnipeg on Saturday.

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

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates his goal along the bench during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Jordan Staal (11) faces off the overtime period against Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) with linesman Dan Kelly (98) holding the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) comes to congratulate teammate Erik Karlsson, left, on his goal with Rickard Rakell, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)