MONTREAL — Sidney Crosby waited until the end of his first game in Montreal to savor playing and starring in the home of his once-beloved Canadiens.

Crosby scored on Pittsburgh’s first shot and finished with two goals Tuesday night, leading the Penguins to a 6-4 victory over Montreal, the team the 18-year-old star rooted for as a youngster.

“If you’re too awestruck, you get caught watching, you get caught being happy to be there and you’re not worrying about trying to contribute and then make the difference,” Crosby said.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to enjoy the moment but you don’t want to get caught up in watching too much and getting stuck out there, so I think the best part for me was probably at the end, getting the win and it was a bonus to come out with the first star.”

Crosby’s second goal of the game — his team-leading 21st — gave the Penguins a 5-4 lead early in the third period. He was credited with the go-ahead goal at 1:58. The game was delayed for a video review that clearly showed that Crosby kicked back a rebound off Jose Theodore towards the Canadiens goalie. The puck struck the edge of Theodore’s left skate, which redirected it into the net.

“There are times that he surprises me on the ice, but I have to tell you something, I don’t think this is the last time he’s going to surprise me,” said Penguins coach Michel Therrien, who won his return to Montreal nearly three years after he was fired by the Canadiens.

Michel Ouellet also scored twice for Pittsburgh, including a power-play goal 18:52 into the second that tied it at 4. Ouellet scored Pittsburgh’s sixth goal — his second of the game — at 14:57 of the game to put the game away.

Crosby, who delivered a highlight-reel shootout-winning goal Nov. 10 against Theodore in his first game against the Canadiens, scored on his first shot in Montreal.

He beat Theodore 4:33 in as he elected to shoot on a 2-on-1 with Zigmund Palffy.

“It seems like yesterday I was up there watching my first NHL game, and I was skating on the ice this time,” said Crosby, who had about 30 members of his family and friends on hand. “It brings back memories, but at the same time it’s something I’ll remember forever.”

Crosby came close to scoring on his next chance. With the Penguins leading 3-0 after getting goals from Endicott and Talbot, his shot at 14:20 beat Theodore once again, but hit the left post. Moments later, Crosby set up Tomas Surovy, who also hit the post with a shot.