Malkin scores 1,000th point in win

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Evgeni Malkin isn’t one for nerves. And yet they came anyway as the weeks crept by and the Pittsburgh Penguins star inched closer to 1,000 career points.

A pep talk from coach Mike Sullivan helped. So did the return to form of one of the NHL’s most formidable power plays, one that pushed Malkin to the lofty milestone and lifted the Penguins past the Washington Capitals 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Malkin collected a pair of secondary assists with the man advantage — the first one on a Sidney Crosby one-timer that capped a frantic flurry in the second period, the second on Phil Kessel’s second goal in six weeks — to become the 88th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points and help Pittsburgh snap Washington’s seven-game winning streak.

“It’s like a little bit slow but it’s finally over, 1,000,” Malkin said. “I breathe normally. Thanking my teammates. Special day for my family, my friends. Like I play hockey all my life you know, it’s amazing to be here and win here against Washington. A special day for sure.”