The goal, which established a new career-high with 22, took Zibanejad a bit by surprise.
"I kind of came late into the zone. [Chris Kreider] rolled up and I think my guy went to him and he made a great pass," he said. "I didn't really know what to do. I wanted to pass, but I ran out of room, just tried to get it on net and it somehow trickled in."
The third period had a bit of everything, starting with frustration at being down 2-0 after 40 minutes, that was followed by euphoria and some dejection followed by more joy.
Then, there was tension.
Georgiev was called for delay of game after he knocked the net off its moorings. Pittsburgh was awarded the penalty shot because there was less than two minutes remaining in the game.
Malkin, one of the league's top scorers and a candidate for the Hart Trophy, against a 22-year-old rookie playing in his sixth NHL game. Advantage: Georgiev.
"Just wanted to be patient with him," Georgiev said after he made 37 saves for his third straight victory. "Wait for maybe his first, maybe his second, third move. Wait for his (move), not go down really early. I think I was patient with that."