CHICAGO — Evgeni Malkin scored in his 1,000th NHL game, and the Pittsburgh Penguins recovered for a 5-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Sunday.
“Great memories for me and my family,” Malkin said. “Emotional night. I hope I stay here all my life. Amazing team. Amazing organization. I hope this will be a special year for me. You don’t play a game like this, maybe one or two in your life. Lots of emotion, lots of thinking. I was only thinking the whole game we needed to win.”
Video: PIT@CHI: Malkin nets goal in 2nd period
Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists, Rickard Rakell had a goal and an assist, and Casey DeSmith made 29 saves for the Penguins (9-7-3), who swept a three-game road trip and are 5-1-1 in their past seven games.
Arvid Soderblom made 20 saves for the Blackhawks (6-9-3), who have lost four in a row, including 6-1 at the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
“It’s frustrating,” Chicago coach Luke Richardson said. “I know the guys must be really frustrated. They put a lot of work in. It was a much better game. I know we got down 3-0, but we were really happy with the way the guys were playing harder through their checks. and their sticks and creating a lot more O-zone time for us, and unfortunately, we played from behind. That’s really difficult, but give them credit.
“I don’t think in the NHL you reward any kind of loss. … There are positives, for sure, compared to last night. Last night was one of the first nights we didn’t seem to have the energy to put up that fight all game, even though it may have looked aesthetically a little better in the third.”
Brock McGinn gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 1:04 of the first period, receiving a cross-ice pass from Rakell and scoring short side with a slap shot from the top of the left circle.
Malkin made it 2-0 at 2:27 of the second period when he beat Soderblom with a quick shot from the low slot off a pass. Ryan Poehlingwho found him after circling the net.
“Oh, I think it means a lot to him,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “This milestone is quite an accomplishment. There aren’t too many players that play in this league that accomplish playing 1,000 games, never mind playing 1,000 games for a single franchise. We all know what ‘Geno’ means to the city of Pittsburgh and this organization and the legacy that he’s built. I know it was a special night for him. His family was here to celebrate with him, which was terrific. I think it just makes the experience that much more memorable, the fact that we came out on the winning column, for sure.”
Video: PIT@CHI: Kane scores in 2nd period
Rakell extended the lead to 3-0 at 4:07 with a one-timer from the bottom of the left circle off a cross-ice pass from Crosby.
Jujhar Khaira got the Blackhawks back to within 3-1 at 9:39, tapping the puck into an open net after Jason Dickinson passed back to him while skating across the crease.
Patrick Kane cut it to 3-2 at 16:36 when he shot under the crossbar off a backhand pass Jonathan Toews.
“Thought we played pretty well tonight,” Kane said. “Great night overall, to be down 3-0 and come back and give ourselves chances.”
Philip Kurashev tied the game 3-3 at 15:49 of the third period, scoring from below the goal line with a shot that deflected off the skate of DeSmith.
Crosby put the Penguins back in front 4-3 at 16:46 with a backhand off his own rebound, and Jeff Carter shot into an empty net with 17 seconds left for the 5-3 final.
Crosby had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) on the Penguins’ road trip.
“Obviously, the numbers speak for themselves,” Sullivan said. “He was tremendous. He just has the ability to elevate his game at key times. A lot of times he’s the difference. You saw what he did late in the game. That’s what he’s capable of.”
Video: PIT@CHI: Crosby nets goal off rebound in 3rd period
The Blackhawks honored Hockey Hall of Fame forward Marian Hossa by retiring his No. 81 during a pregame ceremony. Hossa won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
“It was great, it was special,” Kane said. “I think a lot of us were looking at each other saying, ‘This is pretty cool.’ So happy for Marian and his family, and it’s fun to be a part of it, and a well-deserved honor.”
.