Maatta’s goal lifts Penguins over Leafs
PITTSBURGH — Olli Maatta scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Evgeni Malkin had a goal and two assists to top 900 points for his career, becoming the sixth Russian-born and the fourth player in team history to reach the milestone. Malkin has 19 goals and 331 points in his last 20 games.
Bryan Rust, Zach Aston-Reese and Carl Hagelin also scored for the Penguins, who have won 11 straight at home and four in a row overall. Pittsburgh’s home streak is its longest since a franchise-record 13-game run during the 2013-14 season, and dates back to a 4-0 loss against Carolina on Jan. 4.
Matt Murray made 29 saves for the win, extending his streak without a regulation loss to nine decisions. He also tied Jean-Sebastien Aubin for fifth on the team’s all-time wins list with 63.
Maatta gave Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead at 7:56 of the third with a slap shot that beat Toronto goalie Frederik Andersen to the blocker side.
Rust sealed the win with his ninth with 3:30 minutes remaining to give the Penguisn their ninth win in the last 11.
Patrick Marleau, Connor Brown and Tyler Bozak scored for the Maple Leafs, who snapped a season-high six-game winning streak and lost for just the second time in 11 games. Andersen finished with 34 saves.
COYOTES 1, OILERS 0: Antti Raanta made 39 saves for his first shutout of the season and Arizona won its fourth straight, scoring on its first shot in a home victory over Edmonton. SENATORS 6, RANGERS 3: Derick Brassard had a goal and two assists to help Ottawa beat New York at home.
KINGS 4, SABRES 2: Anze Kopitar and rookie Michael Amadio each scored twice and Los Angeles beat Buffalo on the road to snap a threegame skid.
DUCKS 3, WILD 2, SO: Nick Ritchie scored in the 11th round of a shootout and John Gibson stopped the final seven shooters in Anaheim’s road victory over Minnesota. After the teams combined for 13 straight misses, Ritchie beat Devan Dubnyk. DEVILS 4, LIGHTNING 3: Eddie Lack made 48 saves and New Jersey beat Tampa Bay on the road. Ben Lovejoy, Nico Hischier, Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood scored for the Devils.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS 6, CANADIENS 3: Reilly Smith had two goals and an assist to lead Vegas to a home win over Montreal.
RED WINGS 3, PREDATORS 1: Petr Mrazek stopped 30 shots to remain unbeaten against Nashville, and Detroit defenseman Luke Witkowski scored his first NHL goal.
BLACKHAWKS 7, CAPITALS 1: Jonathan Toews had a goal and two assists and Chicago ripped Washington at home to end an eight-game losing streak.