NHL scores 2015: Evgeni Malkin’s 4-point performance lifts Penguins over Wild 4-3

Two goals and two assists for Pittsburgh’s alternate captain marked his best game to date.

Updated Nov 18, 2015, 1:00 PM UTC

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

After the Penguins' last loss, a 4-0 drubbing by the New Jersey Devils over the weekend, Evgeni Malkin admitted the team needed to work harder. Here's Pittsburgh's alternate captain speaking to Yahoo! Sports that Sunday:

"We're not playing right. We're not working hard. We're mad at each other. We need to stop, look in the mirror and start working."

Clearly taking his own words to heart, Malkin's four-point performance Tuesday night helped the Penguins beat the Minnesota Wild and snap their losing streak.

Malkin’s night was his best of the season so far and a welcome sight for the Penguins, who have looked lost over their last few games. His first goal was a bomb of a slap shot from the top of the right circle that increased the Pens’ lead to 3-1 on a crucial power play halfway through the second. Malkin’s power play tally was the 100th of his career, improving on what already was a key goal for the home team.

His brightest moment was this dazzlingly beautiful goal just minutes later. It’s a clear candidate for Goal of the Year, even this early in the season. Malkin’s toe drag to forehand for a top shelf shot is as masterful as they come.

Outside of his two key goals. Malkin had the primary assists on both of the Pens' other tallies and was second on the team in shots, with four, behind Phil Kessel. He was a force all over the ice, taking matters into his own very talented hands to give the Pens a lift when they needed one. A message has been sent by Malkin, and it's up to Pittsburgh to keep the momentum rolling.

Evgeni Malkin is the @penguins go-to guy. pic.twitter.com/KIKOw05Ywi
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) November 18, 2015

Scores

San Jose Sharks 5, Boston Bruins 4

Dallas Stars 3, Buffalo Sabres 1

Los Angeles Kings 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 (SO)

Columbus Blue Jackets 3, St. Louis Blues 1

Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Minnesota Wild 3

Toronto Maple Leafs 5, Colorado Avalanche 1

Nashville Predators 3, Anaheim Ducks 2

Calgary Flames 3, New Jersey Devils 2

3 things we learned

1. Toronto is heating up

Leafs win again. Improve to 5-2-2 in last nine games and pass Avs in standings. Only two regulation losses in there were last minute ones.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) November 18, 2015

The Maple Leafs put up a five-spot on the Avalanche in their 5-1 win Tuesday. They've had some really impressive wins over the last few weeks -- especially over the Stars and the Predators, both one-goal victories. While they're still last in the Atlantic Division, they're just one point behind Buffalo and Boston and have now moved out of the league's bottom five.

2. Bobby Farnham scored again and there's chaos

Sidney Crosby. Ryan Getzlaf. Jakub Voracek. Rick Nash. Players who have fewer goals than Bobby Farnham.
— Seth Rorabaugh (@emptynetters) November 18, 2015

Welcome to NHL's version of Bizarro World.

3. We've been spelling Antti Niemi's name wrong this whole time

Did he change his name? @DallasStars pic.twitter.com/AOYp4dyyoH
— Left Wing Lock (@Left_Wing_Lock) November 17, 2015

We haven't really, it was just a misprint on a new shipment of jerseys used for their pregame skate.

Impact Moment

looks like Bieksa loses a tooth as he gets punched squarely in the face. gross. pic.twitter.com/5wXtaDXnRq
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 18, 2015

Kevin Bieksa epitomized the impact moment after taking this punch to the face that knocked his tooth straight out of his head.

Update! It’s apparently a fake! Still gross, though.