In Detroit, the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby hit for a double on Saturday afternoon in a 5-1 win over the Red Wings. 
Crosby now has 1,500 career NHL points.
“This is a team sport — that’s what we signed up for and that’s why we all love the game,” Crosby said. “There are some milestones that have made me reflect a little more on the achievement. I’m obviously happy to be in that company, but my mentality has always been to be my best and see where that puts me.
“I’m trying to contribute to winning hockey games. That’s all I care about.”
Pittsburgh was briefly back in a wild card spot with the win, but the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders won later in the day to relegate the Pens to a chase status.
Tristan Jarry made 19 saves for Pittsburgh in the win.
“I thought we built off our win in Minnesota (a 4-1 win against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday) and played a really good defensive game,” Sullivan said. “We had numbers back and we didn’t give them too many odd-man rushes, but we weren’t just letting them come at us; We’re trying to play a smart game, not a safe game.”
The Penguins improved to 40-30-10.
The Pens took a 3-0 lead in the game on strikes by Alex Nylander and Crosby in the first period, and Danton Heinen early in the middle frame.
Detroit stopped the Penguins run with a goal from Pius Suter s for a 3-1 score.
“I like this type of game because we are going up against a team that is fighting for their playoff lives,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “They played a very good game and we had flashes of playing well.”
Crosby’s second pushed the lead to 4-1 early in the third on a power play strike.
“After his second goal, (assistant coach) Alex Tanguay looked over and said, ‘Sid really wants to make the playoffs,'” Lalonde said. “Alex played 1,100 games in this league, so he’s seen a lot of great players.”
Evgeni Malkin scored with seven minutes left for the 5-1 final.
Ville Husso made 23 saves in the Detroit loss.
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