Crosby threatening to spoil all-Canadiens starting lineup

NEW YORK -- Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is closing in on a trio of Montreal Canadiens in voting for the NHL All-Star Game.

Montreal players lead all six starting spots on the Eastern Conference team as of Tuesday, and Crosby is within 65,000 votes of third-place forward Alex Tanguay (385,297).

Alex Kovalev (393,303) and Saku Koivu (390,026) lead the voting for the position. Crosby is followed by Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin (264,914).

The Canadiens may become the first team to send six starters to the all-star game. Crosby was the leading vote-getter the last two years. The game is Jan. 25 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Habs defensemen Andrei Markov (440,292) and Mike Komisarek (396,754) have more than twice as many votes as Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara.

Montreal's Carey Price appears to be a good bet to start in goal. He has 429,087 votes so far -- well ahead of Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury at 204,308.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press