Crosby collects 4 points as Penguins hold off rival Philadelphia in wild 7-6 win

PITTSBURGH — Sidney Crosby can’t explain what it is about the Philadelphia Flyers that seems to bring out a little something extra in him.

Maybe it’s familiarity. Maybe it’s just the natural emotions that come from playing a rival. To be honest, the Pittsburgh Penguins longtime captain isn’t really caught up in the “why” of it all.

There’s too much else on his mind. Namely, trying to figure out a way for his team to make it to the playoffs.

The road is narrow as March looms. Yet it still exists, thanks in part to another vintage performance from the 36-year-old icon who torments the Flyers like no one else.

Crosby collected his 32nd goal of the season and added three assists in a 7-6 win over Philadelphia on Sunday that sent Pittsburgh west into what could be a season-defining four-game road trip with a little bit of momentum.

“So, from here on in, we just need to grab points,” Crosby said after boosting his career totals against Philadelphia to 55 goals and 74 assists, the most ever by a Flyers opponent. “And I think getting the win last game and trying to build off that going into the road trip was really important. So, we know it’s a challenge in front of us, but I think hopefully we can build off this one.”

Drew O’Connor and Rickard Rakell scored less than two minutes apart in the third period to break open a tie game. Bryan Rust had two goals and an assist for the Penguins before exiting in the third period with an injury.

Emil Bemstrom, acquired in a trade with Columbus on Thursday, picked up a goal in his first game with the Penguins. Kris Letang added an insurance goal late after Philadelphia’s Cam York trimmed Pittsburgh’s lead to one. Tristan Jarry was shaky at times but earned the win after stopped 16 of the 22 shots he faced.

“It was kind…