Pittsburgh Penguins: Kessel and Malkin have big nights in win over Arizona Coyotes

Linemates Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin each had three points tonight as the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins took down the Arizona Coyotes at home.

The Pittsburgh Penguins entered Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes having lost four of five on a Western road trip. They were outscored 17-8 on that trip, including a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets. The lone win a was a thrilling OT victory over the talented but moribund Edmonton Oilers.

Even worse, their star players are flat out underperforming. Although plus-minus has its drawbacks, it’s not a good sign when Sidney Crosby enters a game at -10 and Norris Trophy dark horse Kris Letang enters at -17.

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Finally home and taking on the last place Arizona Coyotes, two other Penguins stars stepped up. Phil Kessel posted a goal and two assists, with three shots in 17:04 played. Kessel drove possession throughout the night, with a +7 Corsi. Linemate Evgeni Malkin also had a stellar outing, with a goal and two assists in 18:05 played.

The second line dominated play as Crosby was kept out of the goal column for the ninth game in a row. He picked up a slashing penalty after hacking Nick Cousins in the ribs in the third period. It was a retaliatory move after a perceived missed call in the offensive end, but not a good look for Sid on a slow night overall.

Malkin’s Night

Geno chipped in a rebound off of a Kessel shot late in the first period. As the Penguins entered the zone on the odd man rush, Jake Guentzel fired a pass across the zone to Kessel on the right wing. The pass sends Arizona’s defense scrambling, with Malkin able to slice right through the zone to the front of the net.

While Arizona goaltender Antti Raanta (who made 34 of 37 saves) is squared up for the first save, he gives up the rebound to a streaking Malkin in the slot. He gamely deflects the puck off the shaft of his stick over Raanta’s shoulder for the goal.

Arizona stumbles again

The Coyotes (2-13-2) now have just six points in 17 games played. We’re past the point of the season where small sample sizes are an excuse. This team is on pace for 29 points; for a comparison, the Colorado Avalanche posted 48 points last season as the worst team in the league.

Unfortunately, there are not a ton of solutions. Arizona has seen enormous upheaval over the last two offseasons. Off the ice they hired a wunderkind GM and a new head coach. On the ice they politely told franchise mainstay Shane Doan to leave, picked up a new starting goaltender, and overhauled their defense around cornerstone Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

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What say you, Puck Prose readers? How does Arizona get on track? Are the Penguins out of the woods? Let us know in the comments.