Penguins goaltender Ty Conklin hit the 100-game mark in his NHL career Tuesday night and picked up his 46th win, to go with 26 losses, 4 ties, 6 overtime/shootout losses and 4 shutouts.

He passed 2,200 saves and now has made 2,226 going into the game at Montreal tonight.

Conklin, 31, also had a first Tuesday. His assist on Ryan Malone's winner in the third period was his first NHL point. Forgive Conklin if he doesn't treasure the moment, even if it did help cap a comeback for a 3-2 win.

"To be honest, I don't remember touching the puck," he said. "Maybe I stopped it behind the net or something."

Conklin thought he might be awarded an assist two nights earlier when winger Jarkko Ruutu scored on a breakaway at Buffalo.

Crosby gets some rest

Penguins center Sidney Crosby, working his way back from a high right ankle sprain, was given the day off yesterday and did not join his teammates at practice. He did not accompany the team to Montreal.

Team officials said Crosby has not had a setback but deserved a day of rest after skating and working out several days in a row, including days the rest of the team was off. Staying behind also helped Crosby and the team avoid a likely media crush.

Crosby also missed the Penguins' first trip to Montreal Jan. 19, the night after he got hurt.

Penguins forward Erik Christensen, who is expected to miss his fourth game in a row because of a right shoulder injury, returned to practice wearing a yellow, non-contact jersey.

"It's nice being back out there," said Christensen, who traveled with the club to Montreal. "I've missed the guys a bit. Rehabbing is not a whole lot of fun."

Penguins veteran Sergei Gonchar is making a push to lead defensemen in scoring. Through yesterday, he was second, eight points behind Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom, who is hurt.

With nine goals, 40 assists, Gonchar is a point shy of 50. It would be his eighth season in a row with 50 or more points, the longest active streak among defensemen. Anaheim's Chris Pronger is closing in on his fourth in a row. Toronto's Bryan McCabe has three in a row, but has missed a lot of games this season and isn't close to 50 points. Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer has three in a row, but also hasn't played enough games to seem to be able to reach 50 points this season.

Gonchar is also one point away from 600 for his career.

The weekly poll in the upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated asked NHL players: If you were starting a team, who'd be the first active player you'd pick?

Crosby won handily, at 39 percent, followed by Washington winger Alex Ovechkin (14 percent), Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo (6 percent), Tampa Bay center Vincent Lecavalier (6 percent) and Detroit's Lidstrom (5 percent). Players could not vote for teammates.

Coach Michel Therrien let assistants Mike Yeo and Andre Savard run practice. ... The Penguins have joined TicketExchange by Ticketmaster as a fan resale ticketing service. Season-ticketholders can list their tickets for sale through a link on www.pittsburghpenguins.com. ... The team is holding a cell phone drive Saturday to support Womansplace shelters. Fans who donate a used cell phone or accessory or make a cash donation will be eligible to win prizes. Collections are at gates 1, 3 and 10.