Matt Murray, Evgeni Malkin Lead Penguins To 4-0 Win Over Canucks

Matt Murray made 29 saves for his fourth NHL shutout and third this season, and Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist in his first game back from a lower-body injury since Jan. 24 to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-0 home victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.

Matt Murray and Evgeni Malkin Lift Penguins To 4-0 Win vs Canucks

Sidney Crosby contributed an assist for his 999th NHL point.

“I feel OK,” said Malkin, who had a left leg injury. “The first game (back) is always hard. The first period I was a little bit tired. But I hope next game my confidence comes back and (how I feel) comes back.

“It’s more fun to play a game. The last two weeks I just worked hard in practice.”

Murray, who has allowed two or fewer goals in four of his last five starts, praised Malkin.

“He’s one of the best in the world, so we’ve come to kind of expect that from a guy like him, and he showed it — he got that huge first goal for us, and we didn’t look back,” the goalie said.

Chris Kunitz and Jake Guentzel were on Crosby’s line because his usual linemates– Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary– are both recovering from upper-body injuries. Carl Hagelin also sat out with a concussion.

“Sid’s line, although I don’t think they’ve gotten rewarded on the score sheet the last few games for what they’re doing out there; they’ve created a lot of opportunities,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “The puck hasn’t gone in for them the last couple of games, but certainly, we’ve really liked the line and what it’s been generating offensively.”

The Penguins (35-13-7) are second in the Metropolitan Division with 77 points, two more than the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers. The Washington Capitals lead the division with 84.

Malkin gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 5:16 of the second period. Olli Maatta shot into the crease off Malkin’s skate, which allowed Malkin to tap the puck past goalie Ryan Miller.

Guentzel doubled the lead at 2:27 of the third period, with an assist from Crosby, and then Malkin assisted on Phil Kessel’s goal that made it 3-0 with 5:57 left.

Malkin is second on the Penguins with 23 goals and 56 points, behind Crosby (30, 61).

Matt Cullen scored the final goal with 1:57 remaining in the game.

The Canucks (25-26-6) are four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference having played two more games.

Vancouver’s biggest scoring chance came when Jack Skille shot into Murray’s glove during a 2-on-1 with 4:01 left in the first period.

The Canucks next visit the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, when the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets.

PITTSBURGH, PA – FEBRUARY 14: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 14, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Matt Kincaid/Getty Images)