Faceoff Factor

Ty Conklin made 43 saves to set an individual record to extend his regulation unbeaten streak as a Penguin to 10 games; Sidney Crosby had two assists to catapult him into a first place tie in points with Vincent Lecavalier; and Malkin notched the second hat trick of his career (and the last two weeks) to push the Penguins into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with the New Jersey Devils.

The game featured plenty of skill from Malkin, Crosby, Jaromir Jagr and Scott Gomez, among others, but that skill was sandwiched between fights that framed the game.

Just seven seconds into the contest, Georges Laraque fought Colton Orr and the show began.  And, just after Malkin’s empty net goal to secure the hat trick, Jeff Taffe mixed things up with Brandon Dubisnky.  Nothing came of it and, on the ensuing faceoff, Jarkko Ruutu took a run at a Ranger sparking several mini-fights.  Only one — featuring Adam Hall and Marc Staal — materialized with just two second remaining.

With the win, the Penguins improved their division record to 5-10-1 and now are tied for the second most points in the Eastern Conference and fourth most points in the entire NHL.

Conklin stopped 43 shots and didn’t give up a goal until Jagr scored a power play goal just over nine minutes into the third period.  Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t quite as spectacular, stopping 19 shots.