Murray lifts Penguins past Sharks in first game since father's death

PITTSBURGH --Matt Murray made 40 saves in his first game since his father's death to help the Pittsburgh Penguins win 5-2 against the San Jose Sharks at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.
Murray last started Jan. 4 before appearing in relief of Tristan Jarry on Jan. 7. He returned home to Ontario on Jan. 17 following the death of James Murray. His 40 saves were his second-most this season, behind the 43 he made in a 4-3 win against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 14.

"It was a great feeling, obviously," Murray said. "Getting back to normal and getting in a good game like that, and getting a win for the team. Points are important right now and every game means so much. So it was really nice to get back into it.
"For sure, this one meant a little more to me, personally."
WATCH: [All Sharks vs. Penguins highlights]
Murray's performance impressed, but did not surprise Penguins coach Mike Sullivan.
"I thought he was terrific," Sullivan said. "It was obviously an emotional game for him. I thought he was terrific. He made some timely saves for us that gave us a chance to get our legs and capture the game.
"He's just a great kid that has good perspective I think, and because of that, I think he handles adverse situations really well."

Evgeni Malkin scored a hat trick for Pittsburgh. His second goal gave the Penguins a 3-2 lead at 6:01 of the third period. After Martin Jones turned it over to Patric Hornqvist behind his net, Malkin received a pass and shot into an open net. His first goal tied it 2-2 with 4.1 seconds remaining in the second period.
Bryan Rust, who scored twice, made it 4-2 at 13:58 of the third period. Tom Kuhnhackl sent a no-look backhand pass between his legs to Rust for him to score his sixth of the season on a backhand shot.
Malkin scored into an empty net for the hat trick to extend it to 5-2 at 18:47. He has 12 goals in his past 10 games, including five in his past two.
"Last couple weeks, I feel like I'm so lucky," Malkin said. "I try to help the team to win. I'm glad. I like my shot. It's coming. I'm just using my shot right now. … We have more confidence right now. It's more fun."

Sidney Crosby had an assist on the goal to extend his season-long point streak to 10 games. He has 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) during that stretch.
Jones made 26 saves for the Sharks, who have lost three straight games (0-2-1), after missing four with a lower-body injury. Jones said he felt 100 percent healthy and was pleased with how his teammates performed in front of him.
"We played really well. Thought we were really quick on pucks and got in on the forecheck," Jones said. "So it was good. We took away their time and space, which is what you have to do against teams like that."
Pittsburgh (28-21-3) has won three straight since losing 2-1 to San Jose (26-16-7) on Jan. 20.
Rust ended his 14-game goal drought to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead at 11:09 of the first period. After passing to Riley Sheahan, Rust entered the zone down the near wall, received a return pass and went forehand to backhand through Jones' legs.

The Sharks took a 2-1 lead on two power-play goals, the first from Brent Burns at 10:00 of the second period, and the second from Logan Couture at 18:35. It was Couture's 200th NHL goal.
The lead lasted 1:20 before Malkin tied it 2-2.

Goal of the game

Malkin's goal at 6:01 of the third period.

Save of the game

Murray's save on a snap shot from Kevin Labanc at 4:52 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Rust's goal at 13:58 of the third period.

They said it

"It's unbelievable. The way [Murray has] handled himself and just how much he means to this team. His effort was inspiring and I'm sure he's super excited about it."-- Penguins forward Bryan Rust
"We did some good stuff, but self-inflicted wounds, you know? There are two or three key plays that, obviously, we gave them. So that's one of those games where you can't beat yourself on the road."-- Sharks coach Peter DeBoer

Need to know

The Sharks were 2-for-5 on the power play without forward Joe Thornton, who missed a second game with a knee injury. Thornton will likely miss several weeks. … Penguins defenseman Matt Hunwick missed a second straight game with an upper-body injury. Defenseman Ian Cole played in his place for a second time after being a healthy scratch the previous seven games. ... Burns has nine points (one goal, eight assists) during a seven-game point streak.

What's next

Sharks: At the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; FS-D, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)
Penguins: Host the Washington Capitals on Friday (7 p.m. ET; TVA Sports, SN, ATTSN-PT, NBCSWA, NHL.TV)