After missing 15 games due to injury, Evgeni Malkin returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup and contributed to a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night. The win marked the team’s sixth consecutive victory.
“More fun when you win,” Malkin said. “You see every line play amazing. Now, we have depth, all lines. Everybody back. No injuries. (Stuart) Skinner played amazing. Power play work, penalty kill work. Stay focused. Just play right. We know we have good guys here, a good group. We know how we play. Just have fun every night.”
Malkin noted that it took him some time in the first period to adjust but found his rhythm during a 5-on-3 power play in the second period, scoring from his usual spot and giving Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead.
“You see, I have a couple of chances on one (shot),” Malkin said. “I not play great. Then the second one, I missed the net. I feel so bad after. Then after, we have a 5-on-3. It’s a huge moment for me. I play the whole game. My shoulder feels great. Score goal. I tried (to) not think too much. Just focus on the next game.”
Fans welcomed Malkin back with cheers before puck drop and celebrated further when he was named first star of the game.
“I missed you guys, too,” Malkin said during his on-ice interview.
In the locker room he added: “Love our fans. Always amazing to play at home. Thanks to all the fans. We all try (to) play good games at home. It’s (very) important. When we play at home, crowd and fans love hockey here. Steelers play Monday. People love sports here. Good luck to Steelers, too, as well.”
Goaltender Stuart Skinner made 28 saves out of 29 shots for his third straight win.
“It was pretty fun in there,” Skinner said about fans chanting his name throughout the game.“I definitely felt the support the whole game.I think the guys felt the support the whole game.It was a loud building tonight,and definitely got us going, especially at the start.So, yeah,it was nice.Keep it going.”
The Penguins opened scoring with Erik Karlsson’s shot before New Jersey generated several high-quality chances in response.Skinner kept them at bay.
“I felt good right off the get-go,” Skinner said.“Got a few shots pretty early on, which always get you into it a little bit quicker.[New Jersey] played a really good game.We were just able to score when we got our chances.And also, just the way we defended was really solid.
“The word smothering kind of comes to mind.Honestly, blocking shots, even on the PK,we’re not giving up too much.Just the defensive plays,2-on-1’s,gettings sticks on pucks before it’s coming back,not giving too many odd-man rushes –I mean,the guys have been a very committed group in here,and you can really tell.”
Following a successful penalty kill in the second period,Rickard Rakell set up Connor Dewar for a breakaway goal.Dewar scored his eighth goal of this season.
“I knew that I had lots of time,” Dewar said.“I just thought that I could freeze him a little bit,and shoot five-hole.It worked out pretty well.”
The fourth line—Dewar alongside Blake Lizotte and Noel Acciari—added another late goal as Lizotte finished off an Acciari pass following Dewar’s forechecking effort.
“I think we just work hard for each other,and we’re very like-minded,and we understand our role,” Dewar said.“We just want to help this team win.”
This marks Pittsburgh’s first six-game winning streak since December 2022.The team leads all NHL clubs in wins since league action resumed after Dec 27.”Right when we came back from break,we just got back to work,”Skinner said.”I feel like our details in here are really solid,and again,just like our commitment to those details.So yeah,ever since we got back,I feel like we’ve been rolling pretty good.It’s our job to keep that consistency going.”
The Penguins next face Calgary Flames at home Saturday before traveling to Boston Sunday.Malkin emphasized maintaining focus ahead of February’s Olympic break.”When you play like this ,very important to stay focused and win games,”he said.”Right now ,huge before(the)Olympic break.Take as many points as you can.How many games left(before break)?Like13 ,14.…Try to win lots if you can.Use your break,a little bit of rest.After break,it’s one more run before playoffs.If you see standings ,half season is over.”
Head Coach Dan Muse commented on several aspects postgame:
On Skinner’s performance: “He was awesome.It’s tough sometimes when you’re coming in with a new group ,especially in that position.And so,it’s not a surprise that maybe it takes a little bit of time there just to get up to speed,get going.But this is a guy who’s been to two Finals in a row.He’s done a lot of really good things in league.And you see how he works every day.You see his preparation.You see way he is as teammate.When you’re seeing it all time ,too,this isn’t surprise.But he was unbelievable there in first.I thought we were working.I just didn’t think our execution was there in first period.And I thought it got better ,obviously ,as game went on,but he was there for us when needed him ,for sure.”
On Malkin playing wing: “It got better as game went on ,which is also expected.When you’ve been off for little bit time,you can’t fully replicate game practice.It takes while.And that’s really positive thing when this is first game back,and you see progression as game goes on ,where ,just both him and line,it just got better as it went.I know he hasn’t played wing,but he has gotten some time there.That’s something where,even [at] beginning year,sometimes spotting him up there different points.You could see where potential is with group,and they got better as game went on.”
On confidence since holiday break: “It could be little bit that.But even prior break ,there was games where,we’re coming away,and I feel like liked lot things.There’s not one thing right now I’m going say reason came out this break more wins started coming.There were some games prior break,we were playing good hockey.We just weren’t consistent with it.And wasn’t for full60 minutes.Group as whole,came in,and it’s credit them,came out that break,right away,felt refreshed having little bit time.And now start build some momentum,and build from one game next.Even those days between,I’ll go over these last couple days ,where have couple practice days,the guys came work.They put work,time,the focus meetings.They’re ones bringing that .Obviously,start game,you can get lead always helps,but it’s not always gonna case.And also feel ebbs flows being controlled better.If I say one thing,in terms difference between these last six games maybe six ten prior,it’s that.Part season,you learn things go well,you learn things don’t.And keep moving forward.”
On impact of fourth line: “The impact has been huge.It’s been huge,and it’s been consistent.The three them know one way.Led with work.Direct ,fast,hard play against .And you’re seeing them rewarded offense now too.Again they’re creating offense very,little O-zone starts me sometimes pulling them off ice putting them back D-zone start when they go back on find way get offensive zone find way create.But they’re three guys kill penalties.Out late-game situations.Out ton key defensive situations.They’ll play against anybody.Can top line top matchup.When do start D-zone usually end O-zone.Adding offense but you’re seeing right now confident puck attack should be.Talk about consistency there’s not lot shifts seen take off if any.”
On handling ups and downs:”That’s something even throughout year always want look things need addressed.Any these games late there’s always things too …we can be better here continue clean up.But also always want take those points believe winning details things going well obviously want continue build highlight continue show them.But doesn’t necessarily change from day-to-day we’ve had all year.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins, established in 1967 and based in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,function as professional ice hockey team competing National Hockey League.The organization has secured multiple Stanley Cup championships,numerous playoff appearances and division titles.They host home games at PPG Paints Arena—a multipurpose venue downtown—and form vital part city sports culture through strong fan traditions,youth development initiatives,and community engagement.
