Crosby, Kessel help Penguins double-up the Red Wings

PITTSBURGH - Phil Kessel scored twice, Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist and the Pittsburgh Penguins got plenty of help from other unheralded players in a 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.

Sullivan said the idea of putting Kessel with Crosby had been in discussion for a few days.

- Seth Rorabaugh (@emptynetters) February 19, 2016

Matt Cullen added a goal and an assist, Ben Lovejoy picked up his first goal since November and Scott Wilson collected the first goal of his career for the Penguins. Pittsburgh never trailed and picked up two valuable points while trying to keep pace in the jumbled Eastern Conference playoff race.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 35 shots, and Pittsburgh improved to 7-1 in its last eight home games.

Rookie Dylan Larkin boosted his team-leading goal total to 19 for Detroit. Tomas Jurco and Henrik Zetterberg also scored for the Red Wings, who struggled defensively for a third straight game. Petr Mrazek made 27 saves but Detroit has given up 11 goals combined in his last two starts.

-with files from theScore

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