Karlsson and Malkin score as Jarry records shutout with Penguins 4-0 win over Sabres
PITTSBURGH ëƵ The Pittsburgh Penguins admit they werenëƵt really where they wanted to be during a 3-6 stretch to open the season.
But a road trip to California helped the Penguins gain some much-needed confidence and momentum, which they brought back home.
Erik Karlsson scored twice, Evgeni Malkin also scored and Tristan Jarry recorded a shutout in his return from injury, as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Saturday night.
ëƵAs of late, it feels like itëƵs starting to come together a little bit more,ëƵ Karlsson said. ëƵThings are falling into place a little bit easier and weëƵre starting to get the results to go with that.ëƵ
Both of KarlssonëƵs goals came in the third period ëƵ on the power play early and a late empty netter ëƵ to extend a five-game point streak. Malkin scored his eighth goal of the season and added an assist. Drew OëƵConnor scored his first and Sidney Crosby extended an eight-game point streak for the Penguins, who have won four straight.
Jarry made 35 saves for Pittsburgh. He recorded his third shutout of the season and 16th of his career.
Jarry returned Saturday after missing ThursdayëƵs game at Los Angeles with a facial injury. His mask came off during a scramble in front Tuesday at Anaheim and he was struck in the eye with a puck. He played through 38:15 of a combined shutout with Magnus Hellberg at Anaheim.
Jarry said Saturday that he received stitches after the Ducks game and his eye closed at one point.
ëƵI couldnëƵt see anything for the last couple days,ëƵ Jarry said. ëƵIt was nice that the swelling finally went down and I was able to play.ëƵ
MalkinëƵs eight goals in 13 games are the most since he scored nine goals in 12 games during the 2006-07 season, his rookie year. Karlsson, last yearëƵs Norris Trophy winner, who was acquired in a blockbuster summer trade with San Jose, has nine points during his five-game run. Crosby has been held without a point just once in 13 games this season.
ëƵI think guys in general are playing more cohesive hockey together,ëƵ Karlsson said. ëƵWeëƵre starting to come together as a group. ItëƵs still early in the journey and it feels like we have a lot more to give, which is a nice feeling to have.ëƵ
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 36 shots for Buffalo, which lost for the third time in five games. The Sabres were coming off a 3-2 home win against Minnesota 24 hours earlier.
ëƵI thought they did a good job of clearing second opportunities,ëƵ Sabres captain Kyle Okposo said. ëƵWe obviously didnëƵt do enough to score tonight.ëƵ
Karlsson put the game away with a power-play goal 27 seconds into the third period, giving Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead. His shot from the point hit BuffaloëƵs Erik Johnson and went past Luukkonen.
ëƵThat was a big goal to kind of get us going in the third,ëƵ Karlsson said. ëƵThe power-play goal definitely gave us that extra confidence boost to finish it off.ëƵ
UP NEXT
Sabres: Host Boston on Tuesday.
Penguins: Visit Columbus on Tuesday.









