Malkin scores 1,100th NHL point in Penguins victory against Bruins

PITTSBURGH --Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist to reach 1,100 NHL points, and the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 at PPG Paints Arena on Monday.

The center became the 63rd player in NHL history, and fifth active, with at least 1,100 points when he scored with a wrist shot from the right face-off circle on a power play, extending Pittsburgh's lead to 3-1 at 11:40 of the second period. Malkin has 424 goals and 676 assists in 935 NHL games, and 12 points (four goals, eight assists) during an eight-game point streak.
"[Malkin] is a guy that I think relies so heavily on his confidence level, and he puts a lot of pressure on himself to produce offensively for our team," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's playing a strong game right now. Obviously, he's a dominant player for us. You just notice him every time he's on the ice. It feels like the puck follows him around. That's when you know he's on his game."
Tristan Jarry made a season-high 42 saves, and Sidney Crosby extended his point streak to seven games (four goals, seven assists) with a goal and two assists for the Penguins (18-9-1), who have won six in a row.
Matt Grzelcyk scored, and Jaroslav Halak made 22 saves for the Bruins (14-8-4), who have lost four of five (1-3-1).
The teams will conclude a back-to-back set here Tuesday.
"[We] generated enough to win the hockey game," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. "You have to finish. I know that, so stating the obvious here. But I'm more concerned when you don't generate. Obviously, it means you're not doing the right things to get the opportunities, so you continue to generate. I believe there's enough talent there to get enough goals."
Grzelcyk put Boston ahead 1-0 at 6:47 of the first period with a wrist shot off the left post on a power play with Nick Ritchie providing a screen. It was Grzelcyk's first goal since the final game last regular season.
"I feel pretty confident. I think my legs are there," said Grzelcyk, who has played 13 games this season, missing all but one game in February with two separate injuries. "I'm a much better player when I'm able to skate. I'm just trying to make quick plays, get it up to our forwards and let them go to work down low. I think we got a nice start there of having more of an attack mentality. That's encouraging to see, for sure."

The Penguins have won Jarry's past four starts, despite allowing the first goal in three of the four.
"I just want to make sure I'm ready for every shot," Jarry said. "That's a big thing, just making sure I'm prepared and doing the right things for when they do shoot it. I think it's making sure I'm staying in the right position and giving myself the best chance."
Evan Rodrigues tied it 1-1 when Halak couldn't glove his wrist shot before it slid through the five-hole at 16:51.
Crosby scored on a one-timer from a sharp angle set up by Jake Guentzel, giving Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead at 18:34. He has four goals in his past five games.
"We're competing hard. We're giving ourselves a chance every night," Crosby said. "That's what we need to do. That compete level has to be there. That's a strength of our team, just the urgency and desperation."

After Malkin made it 3-1, Guentzel extended his goal streak to four games by scoring into an empty net with 16 seconds remaining for the 4-1 final.
The Bruins outshot the Penguins 43-26.
"In a game like tonight, we had almost 50 shots, 45 shots? It does feel like every mistake is going in our net," Boston forward Brad Marchand said. "But we had a much better effort tonight. If we play like that again tomorrow, then hopefully we have a much better result."
NOTES: Malkin is the third player to score at least 1,100 points with the Penguins, joining Mario Lemieux (1,723) and Crosby (1,292), and the third Russia-born player in NHL history, joining Alex Ovechkin (1,299) and Sergei Fedorov (1,179). … Crosby is the 22nd player in NHL history with 200 multiassist games. … Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk returned after missing one game while in the NHL COVID-19 protocol. He had two shots on goal in 15:48. … Sullivan tied Eddie Johnston for the second-most wins in Penguins history with 232. Dan Bylsma is first with 252.