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Malkin return boosts Pens

 
The Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin has two goals and an assist vs. the Jets in his first game back after missing nine with a leg injury.
The Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin has two goals and an assist vs. the Jets in his first game back after missing nine with a leg injury.
Published Jan. 6, 2014

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PITTSBURGH — Evgeni Malkin woke up Sunday, sent a text message to Dan Bylsma and told the Penguins coach he was good to go after missing nine games because of an ailing left leg.

And it sure looked like he was ready.

Malkin scored twice and had an assist, helping the Penguins rally past Winnipeg 6-5 to extend their home winning streak to 12 straight.

Pittsburgh becomes the first NHL team with 12 consecutive home wins in back-to-back seasons, Elias Sports said.

James Neal also had two goals and an assist, and Jussi Jokinen scored for the third time in the past two games as Pittsburgh's second line kept the Penguins in it until Matt Niskanen's slap shot with 7:22 remaining won it.

"It's always a big boost when you get a guy like (Malkin) back," Neal said. "Myself and Jussi were obviously excited. We try to feed off that. It looked like he didn't miss a beat out there. He was his normal self."

Coach Dan Bylsma won his 232nd game with Pittsburgh, moving into a tie with Eddie Johnston for the most victories in franchise history.

Evander Kane had two goals and an assist for the Jets, who have lost their past 13 games in Pittsburgh.

"Every time we come in here, it's the same," coach Claude Noel said. "And they gave us five goals, so it's not like they were putting on a clinic."

Discipline roundup: Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers has a hearing today for a hit to the head of Devils center Dainius Zubrus on Saturday. Myers received a minor penalty. Zubrus remained in the game.

Around the league: Two days before the announcement of the Canadian Olympic, two expected members were out with injuries. Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo wasn't on the bench against the Ducks, hurt in a collision with the Kings' Dustin Brown on Saturday in his return from another injury. Hurricanes center Eric Staal was announced out for five or six days after leaving Saturday's game against the Islanders with a lower-body injury. … The Canucks signed Rob Laurie, 43, to a tryout contract to back up Eddie Lack against the Ducks. Laurie made his NHL debut last season, serving as a Ducks backup for one game.

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First1, Wpg, Trouba 4 (O.Jokinen, Pardy), 1:47. 2, Wpg, Scheifele 7 (Kane, Bogosian), 19:56. PenaltiesPardy, Wpg (tripping), 6:17; Adams, Pit (unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:14; Byfuglien, Wpg (interference), 12:41; Niskanen, Pit (interference), 14:17; Byfuglien, Wpg (roughing), 16:52; Engelland, Pit (roughing), 16:52.

Second3, Pitts, Malkin 10 (J.Jokinen), 1:06. 4, Pitts, Neal 15 (Letang, Crosby), 4:25 (pp). 5, Pitts, Neal 16, 4:59. 6, Wpg, Wheeler 16 (Little), 6:02. 7, Pitts, J.Jokinen 12 (Malkin, Orpik), 11:38. 8, Wpg, Kane 13, 17:31. 9, Wpg, Kane 14 (Scheifele, Frolik), 19:42. PenaltiesWheeler, Wpg (slashing), 4:12; Malkin, Pit (hooking), 14:06.

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Third10, Pitts, Malkin 11 (Neal), 8:29. 11, Pitts, Niskanen 5 (Maatta, Kunitz), 12:38. PenaltiesNone. Missed Penalty ShotCrosby, Pit, 16:52 first. Shots on GoalWpg 11-13-10—34. Pitts 11-11-17—39. PP oppsWpg 0 of 3; Pitts 1 of 3. GoaliesWpg, Montoya 8-4-1 (39 shots-33 saves). Pitts, Fleury 24-10-1 (34-29).

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First1, Car, Semin 6 (Skinner, Ruutu), 4:28. PenaltiesNone.

SecondNone. PenaltiesEkholm, Nas (delay of game), 19:49.

Third2, Nash, Hornqvist 9 (Fisher, Weber), 6:46 (pp). 3, Car, Skinner 20 (Ruutu, Semin), 16:29. PenaltiesLiles, Car (hooking), :43; Jones, Nas (delay of game), 3:45; R.Murphy, Car (interference), 5:11. Shots on GoalNash 11-12-9—32. Car 9-10-6—25. Power-play opportunitiesNash 1 of 2; Car 0 of 2. GoaliesNash, Hutton 7-7-2 (25 shots-23 saves). Car, Khudobin 5-0-0 (32-31).