BUFFALO, N.Y. — Evgeni Malkin had a goal and assist and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the free-falling Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.
Jake Guentzel scored the go-ahead goal on the power play with 8 minutes, 24 seconds left in the second period.
Brandon Tanev, Anthony Angelo and Bryan Rust, with an empty-netter, also scored. Tristan Jarry stopped 21 shots and was assisted on Rust’s goal.
Pittsburgh has won 11 of its past 14. Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan became the NHL’s fourth U.S.-born coach to win 300 games, and 12th overall to have that many career victories and at least two Stanley Cup titles.
The teams will complete the two-game series Saturday night.
Sabres rookie Dylan Cozens is being evaluated for an apparent concussion after a questionable hit from the Pens Zach Aston-Reese in the third period. No penalty was called.