PITTSBURGH —
Matt Niskanen and Dustin Jeffrey scored third-period goals to send the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday.
Panthers goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 37 saves in his first NHL start this season.
Niskanen took a pass from Kris Letang and scored on a one-timer from the left side at 7:49.
Jeffrey then scored his first goal since Feb. 18, 2012, when he redirected a shot from Matt Cooke at 15:15 to give the Penguins a 3-1 lead.
Chris Kunitz also scored for the Penguins and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 22 saves in his first start in five days.
Penguins center Evgeni Malkin left the game in the third period after he took an off-balance check from Erik Gudbranson while driving to the net and slid back-first into the end boards.
Malkin remained down on the ice for several moments, but skated off the ice on his own.
Florida defenseman Mike Weaver scored the Panthers’ goal. Florida was outshot 40-23. Markstrom was recalled from AHL San Antonio on Wednesday.
Notes: Right wing Beau Bennett, who made his NHL debut on Feb. 15, started on the Penguins second line with center Malkin and left wing James Neal. ... The Penguins have scored at least one power-play goal in 10 straight games. ... Penguins winger Tyler Kennedy was benched for much of the second period after two giveaways.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.
White Hot Heat! Heat vs. Pacers tonight
Cavaliers Use Day Off to Prepare for FSU
Nate Allen is looking for a bounce back season
Seabrook on Canucks series in 2011
Three and Out: Wheeler or Pineda
Cubs' Sveum on Jackson's struggles
Game 4: Blackhawks played against a "really smart team"
Game 4: Blackhawks' Seabrooks "deserved limited minutes"
Game 4: Blackhawks started, couldn't finish
Phil Jackson on leadership: 'You have to follow your intuitive nature'
Phil Jackson on Derrick Rose: 'We like him'
Phil Jackson on Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant
Blackhawk Frolik on Game 5 vs. Detroit
Blackhawks' Seabrook on power play struggles
White Sox's Sale plans to pitch against Cubs
Importance of series vs Braves
Howard on Gordie Howe visit
Kindl nets first career playoff goal in win
Pacers putting Game 1 heartbreak behind them
Wade, LeBron ready for Pacers in Game 2
