Malkin’s goal, two assist lead Pens past Wild

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Evgeni Malkin continued his strong preseason with a goal and two assists and the Pittsburgh Penguins had four power-play goals in a 4-1 preseason win over the Minnesota Wild 4-1 on Saturday.

Defenseman Joseph Morrow, Pittsburgh’s first-round draft choice, had a goal and an assist, and Pascal Dupuis and Brian Strait also scored for the Penguins, who have won all three of their preseason games. Pittsburgh’s Brad Thiessen made 16 saves.

Eric Nystrom had a third-period goal for the Wild, who had won their first three preseason games.

Malkin missed the final three months of last season with a torn ACL, but the former NHL scoring champion has five points in two preseason games.

Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS

The Columbus Blue Jackets have sent five players to their top minor league affiliate and released three others.

Forward Oliver Gabriel and defensemen Anton Blomqvist, Steven Delisle, Dalton Prout and Brent Regner were assigned to Springfield, Mass., of the American Hockey League. The Blue Jackets released forwards Aaron Bogosian and Adam Payerl and defenseman Trevor Ludwig.