Malkin shines in Pens' win over Coyotes

Sidney Crosby isn't the only player on the Pittsburgh Penguins' roster who can take over a game.

Evgeni Malkin tied a career high with five points and Crosby extended his scoring streak to 21 games with a goal and two assists and the Penguins beat the Phoenix Coyotes 6-1 at CONSOL Energy Center on Monday night.

Kris Letang had a goal and an assist and Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves for Pittsburgh, which won for the first time in three games since having a 12-game winning streak snapped.

Malkin, who had three goals in two games since returning from missing four contests due to a knee injury, had two goals and three assists Monday -- all within the first 27:21 of the game.

"We work together … Sid's a great player," Malkin said. "We've played together (for) five years. He's an amazing player. We just work hard together."

Crosby's point streak is the longest in the NHL this season and one short of the longest since the 2004-05 work stoppage. Dany Heatley scored in 22 consecutive games early in the 2005-06 season. Only Mario Lemieux (46 games in 1989-90 and 28 games in 1986) has had a longer streak for the Penguins.

Malkin's five points matched the most by any player in the NHL this season, done six times previously. Malkin also had five-point games March 17, 2009, against Atlanta and January 20, 2007, versus Toronto.

"Tonight, he was real focused on playing the right way," Pens coach Dan Bylsma said of Malkin. "He got results as a result of it. He obviously had a jump in his step. He could have had a couple more points, for sure. He had that many chances. It's good to see him skating like that."  

Playing without starting goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (upper-body injury) for the third straight game, Phoenix fell to 1-2-1 on its six-game road trip that continues Thursday at San Jose. The Coyotes have won only four of their past 11 since having a seven-game winning streak snapped, falling into last place in the Pacific Division.

Wojtek Wolski scored for the second consecutive game for Phoenix.

"This is unacceptable for our group," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "We'll address some of the issues we have. That's not who we are right there and that's not who we're gonna be. We'll do whatever we can to fix it."

Fleury improved to 8-0-1 in his past nine home games. He was tested extensively in the first period, when he made 16 saves -- some of them highlight-worthy -- and was denied a shutout only by a shot that deflected first off a thigh and then off Fleury's helmet.

"Both of them have been playing great … they can do it all," Fleury said of Malkin and Crosby. "They're dangerous when they're on their game."

Eight minutes into the third, Derek Morris' shot from point struck Wolski in the right leg while he stood in the crease to Fleury's left. The puck deflected up, nipping Fleury's helmet, and back into the net.

With Pittsburgh up 1-0 in the final minute of the first, Crosby extended his scoring run with one of his most unique assists of the streak.

Crosby, among the League leaders in faceoff percentage, took advantage of the fact that Vernon Fiddler was kicked out of the right faceoff circle in the Phoenix zone for dropping his stick too early. Crosby duped the less-experienced Lauri Korpikoski, slid the puck forward, lunged and immediately fed a wide-open Malkin, who had only eight goals in 26 games before his recent tear.

Just 51 seconds into the second, Malkin again was fed by Crosby while wide open in the slot when Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle tripped behind his own net seconds into a Pittsburgh power play. Crosby picked up the loose puck and found Malkin for his 21st assist during his scoring streak.

Two minutes later, Crosby scored his 21st goal of the 21-game streak -- again while on the power play. This time, Malkin set up Crosby, who walked in through the right circle and beat Jason LaBarbera with a wrist shot.

When Matt Cooke scored moments after Malkin's faceoff win later in the period, LaBarbera was chased and the rout was on.

"You're down 5-0 after a period and a half … it's pretty embarrassing," Phoenix captain Shane Doan said. "They scored on their power play and we didn't. That was embarrassing."

Pittsburgh's Chris Conner added his third of the season with 1:39 to play.

"I liked the way our team was focused and ready to go," Bylsma said.

Material from wire services and team media was used in this report.