Evgeni Malkin, playing on the No. 1 line with Sydney Crosby for the first time, scored a goal in his fourth consecutive game to start his career, fellow Pittsburgh rookie Jordan Staal scored his third goal in two games and the Penguins beat the New Jersey Devils 4-2 on Tuesday night.
The Penguins, the Atlantic Division's last-place team the last four seasons, are in first place -- an unfamiliar spot since the days following Mario Lemieux's comeback nearly six years ago. They have won three in a row for the first time since March 19-23, 2004, a span that includes the 2004-2005 labor shutdown season.
The players most responsible for their success -- the 18-year-old Staal, 19-year-old Crosby and 20-year-old Malkin -- teamed to take 13 of Pittsburgh's 25 shots.
PHOTO: AP
Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside 20 shots.
The Devils, who got goals from Scott Gomez and Sergei Brylin, lost their third in a row and have scored only 13 goals in six games.
With Malkin moved up to Crosby's line, Nils Ekman played on the Penguins' No. 2 line with Staal and Mark Recchi for the first time and scored Pittsburgh's first goal and assisted on Staal's fourth career goal. Crosby and Malkin each had a goal and an assist after being united on the No. 1 line by coach Michel Therrien on Monday.
Senators 6, Maple Leafs 2
At Toronto, Mike Fisher and five others scored to power Ottawa's rout.
Andrej Meszaros, Patrick Eaves, Antoine Vermette, Dany Heatley and Chris Neil also had goals for the Senators, who also beat Toronto in the season opener on Oct. 4.
Matt Stajan and Mats Sundin scored for the Maple Leafs, who were booed in the third period and as the final horn sounded.
Toronto goalie Andrew Raycroft was replaced to start the third after he allowed five goals on 21 shots.
The game featured two fights, including one in which Toronto's Darcy Tucker pummeled Eaves to the ice during the second period.
Flames 6, Coyotes 1
At Calgary, Roman Hamrlik led the way with a goal and an assist, and Calgary scored three times on the power play and once short-handed in the win.
Chuck Kobasew, Kristian Huselius, Tony Amonte, Jarome Iginla and Marcus Nilson also scored for the Flames, who halted a three-game losing streak. Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 26 shots to improve to 3-4-1.
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