Malkin's Hat Trick Leads Penguins Over Panthers

0:00On April 5, Pittsburgh Penguins smoked the Florida Panthers 9-4 Saturday night at PPG Painterina. Evgeny Malkin lit it up with three goals and an assist, hitting 1,400 career NHL points. The 39-year-old forward now ranks as the 23rd player ever to reach that mark, and third active behind teammates Sydney Crosby and Alex. Ovechkin, that hat-trick marked Malkin's 14th in the league, his first since March 27, 2022. Penguins exploded for six goals in the second period alone, with a Riccar Verquel, Anthony Manta, and Elmer Soderblom, each adding a goal and assist. Eric Carlson chipped in a goal, and three assists too. Crosby dished two helpers to pass Steve Iserman for 7th on the all-time points list. For Florida, Sergei Baroski got pulled after allowing six goals on 19 shots, with the Neil Tarasov stopping 9-12 in relief. AJJ Rear had their lone goal and assist.

1:01The loss knocked the Panthers out of Stanley Cup playoff contention, even after winning the Cup the past two seasons. They've dropped four of their last six games now. Penguins have won three of four, and look sharp heading into Sunday's rematch right back at home. That wraps NHL News today, brought to you with AI.