The bigger problem is the superstar center sustained a concussion that will keep him out of action for at least a little while longer.

Benoit Pouliot scored on Montreal’s fifth shootout attempt to give the Canadiens a 2-1 win over Pittsburgh last night in Montreal.

After the game, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma announced that Crosby is expected to be out for a week.

“You don’t want to see a guy go down like this, especially him, but we have to regroup and play better, that’s it,’’ said defenseman Kris Letang, the first of five Pittsburgh shooters stopped by Carey Price in the shootout.

Price, who made 31 saves through overtime, was perfect in the tiebreaker, turning aside Letang, Pascal Dupuis, Evgeni Malkin and Mark Letestu before denying Chris Kunitz on Pittsburgh’s final attempt.

Pouliot deked Brent Johnson and let the puck slide into the net to give Montreal a win in its first shootout of the season.

Pouliot also scored the tying goal in the second period as the Canadiens improved to 2-0-1 following a three-game losing streak.

Arron Asham scored in the first period for Pittsburgh, 1-2-1 in its last four games.

Crosby, who leads the NHL with 32 goals and 66 points, flew back to Pittsburgh to be evaluated by team doctors after he was injured Wednesday in the Penguins’ 8-1 home victory over the Lightning.

“We play 40 minutes a game without Sid on the ice so we’re comfortable with knowing how we need to play and how it’s going to be,’’ Bylsma said. “We’re going to keep playing exactly that same way and figuring out ways to win hockey games.’’

Maple Leafs 6, Blues 5 — Tyler Bozak scored the shootout winner for host Toronto, which bounced back from blowing a three-goal lead to beat St. Louis .

Bozak beat Ty Conklin with a wrist shot in the shootout, but that didn’t compare to the move by teammate Mikhail Grabovski, who made a 360 while cutting across the top of the crease and tucked the puck into the net. Kris Versteeg also scored in the tiebreaker for Toronto.

The Maple Leafs seemed to be in control when Phil Kessel’s second goal of the game 1:15 into the third period made it 5-2.

Coyotes 2, Avalanche 0 — Jason LaBarbera made 34 saves for his second shutout of the season and Taylor Pyatt scored twice as Phoenix beat host Colorado.

LaBarbera filled in and clamped down on the NHL’s fourth-highest scoring team for his second shutout in three starts. He blanked Dallas Dec. 26, turning back 30 shots.

Oilers 2, Islanders 1 — Dustin Penner had a shorthanded goal and an assist for host Edmonton, which broke a seven-game losing streak with a victory over New York.

Gilbert Brule also scored for the Oilers (13-19-7), who have two wins in 11 games and were in the midst of their worst skid since a 13-game slide from Dec. 31 to Jan. 30 of last season.

Flyers 4, Devils 2 — Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell scored two goals apiece to lead visiting Philadelphia over fast-fading New Jersey.

Ville Leino had a career-high three assists, and Brian Boucher made 18 saves as the Flyers improved their NHL-best road record to 13-4-3.

Briere snapped a 2-2 tie early in the third period with his 19th goal and gave the Flyers breathing room with 8:26 to go when his pass deflected off the skate of Devils defenseman Colin White past goalie Johan Hedberg.

Sabres 3, Sharks 0 — Ryan Miller made 36 saves, and Thomas Vanek scored his team-leading 16th goal to give coach Lindy Ruff his 500th career victory as Buffalo won in San Jose. Ruff became the 16th NHL coach with 500 wins and joined Montreal’s Toe Blake as the only ones in the club who got all their wins with one team.

Predators 5, Kings 2 — Patric Hornqvist scored two goals, Colin Wilson had a goal and two assists, and visiting Nashville rallied for its fourth straight victory.

Sergei Kostitsyn also had a goal and two assists, and Marek Svatos scored his first goal for the Predators, who sent the Kings to their season-worst fifth straight loss.