PITTSBURGH — Sidney Crosby is well versed in what happens during the second half of an NHL season. How the intensity ramps up. The speed and the stakes, too.

No wonder the Pittsburgh Penguins captain looks so comfortable. Crosby’s wrist shot beat Brian Elliott 55 seconds into overtime to give the Penguins a 4-3 victory over Philadelphia on Friday night. Crosby’s ninth goal of the season took some of the sting out of a dismal shutout loss to the Flyers on the eve of the All-Star break.

Given nine days to stew, Crosby promised his team would be ready for the rematch. Though the Penguins needed goaltender Tristan Jarry to bail them out after blowing a two-goal lead, Crosby’s winner gave Pittsburgh’s two-month sprint to the playoffs a jolt.

“I think you always look at this time of year, when your team has to elevate your game, everyone else is doing the same,” said Crosby, who finished with a goal and two assists. “We’re going to try and do that, to come off the break and get those first two points there and build off of that is important.”

Evgeni Malkin also had a goal and two assists for the Penguins, who picked up their NHL-leading 19th home victory. Bryan Rust picked up his team-leading 22nd goal for Pittsburgh and Kris Letang added a goal and an assist. Jarry, fresh of his first All-Star appearance, stopped 27 shots for the Penguins, including a number in the waning minutes of regulation as the Flyers buzzed.