Center gets assist in third period
PITTSBURGH — The quality Mike Sullivan appreciates the most in Evgeni Malkin is the one that separates the Pittsburgh Penguins star from just about everyone else who happens to do what Malkin does for a living.
“He’s such a threat when he’s on the ice,” Sullivan said. “He’s one of the elite players in the league that has the ability to change the outcome.”
And do it with style. Malkin celebrated his return from a lower-body injury with his 23rd goal of the season then added a beautiful feed that set up Phil Kessel’s third-period goal, helping the Penguins roll by the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 on Tuesday night.
Sidney Crosby earned the 999th point of his career with an assist on Jake Guentzel’s goal and Matt Cullen added his ninth of the season for Pittsburgh. Matt Murray stopped 29 shots for his third shutout of the season, and the Penguins remained unbeaten in regulation since the AllStar break (5-0-2).
Malkin missed seven games while rehabbing an injury from a victory over St. Louis in Jan. 24. He appeared ready to return last Saturday night in Arizona before Sullivan made Malkin a late scratch just to be sure.
Malkin picked up right where he left off before getting hurt. He gave Pittsburgh the lead 5:51 into the second when he stood on the far post, stopped a pass from Olli Maatta with his right skate and tapped it into the NHL net.
■ Devils 3, Avalanche 2 — At Newark, N.J., defenseman Andy Greene scored the go-ahead goal on a power play and Kyle Palmieri converted on an odd-man rush with Taylor Hall to lead New Jersey to a win for the fourth time in six games.
■ Sabres 3, Senators 2 — At Ottawa, Ontario, Robin Lehner made 39 saves against his former team and Matt Moulson and Justin Bailey scored in the third period to rally Buffalo past Ottawa.
■ Jets 5, Stars 2 — At Winnipeg, Manitoba, Patrik Laine got his third hat trick of the season, including the go-ahead goal late in the third period, to help Winnipeg end a four-game skid. Laine scored two goals in the third period.
■ Oilers 5, Coyotes 2 — At Edmonton, Alberta, Leon Draisaitl and Oscar Klefbom each had a goal and two assists as Edmonton won for the second time in six games. Matt Hendricks, Mark Letstu and Patrick Maroon also scored for the Oilers.
■ Maple Leafs 7, Islanders 1 — At Toronto, Auston Matthews scored twice, Frederik Andersen earned his 100th NHL win and Toronto won for the third time in nine games. The Maple Leafs set a season high for goals in the victory.
■ Ducks 1, Wild 0 — At St. Paul, Minn., John Gibson made 37 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, rookie Joseph Cramarossa scored his fourth goal and Anaheim beat former coach Bruce Boudreau for the first time in three meetings.