Bonino and Malkin power Pens to third straight win
WINNIPEG: Nick Bonino had a hat-trick while Evgeni Malkin scored twice and added an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Winnipeg Jets 7-4 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory.
Justin Schultz and Jake Guentzel also scored while and Matt Murray made 31 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in the start of a five-game trip. Chad Ruhwedel had three assists and Mark Streit and Conor Sheary each had two.
Three of Pittsburgh’s goals came in a 57-second span in the second period, including two on the power play.
Connor Hellebuyck, making his 12th straight start, was pulled midway through the second period after allowing five goals on 15 shots for the Jets. He was replaced by Michael Hutchinson.
Shawn Matthais, Nikolaj Ehlers, Dustin Byfuglien and Marko Dano scored for Winnipeg.
In Boston, David Krejci scored twice and Drew Stafford had his first with Boston during a four-goal first period as the Bruins hammered the Detroit Red Wings 6-1 on Wednesday night.
Brad Marchand had his team-leading 31st and 32nd goals while David Pastrnak added a score and Tuukka Rask made 26 saves. Boston are 9-3 since interim coach Bruce Cassidy replaced the fired Claude Julien on Feb 7.
Niklas Kronwall had his first goal of the season for Detroit.
In Dallas, defenceman Fredrik Claesson scored his first NHL goal and added an assist to help Ottawa beat Dallas 5-2 for their fourth straight victory.
Ottawa moved within four points of firstplace Montreal in the Atlantic Division.