Evgeni Malkin has goal and assist, Penguins beat Sabres 5-2
By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — 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 8:24 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.

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford, who oversaw Cup wins, resigns
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has resigned. The 71-year-old member of the Hockey Hall of Fame cited “personal reasons” behind the decision. Patrick Allvin will serve as the interim general manager while the club searches for a permanent replacement. Rutherford arrived in Pittsburgh in the summer of 2014 and oversaw a roster rebuild that helped the Penguins win consecutive Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.

Guentzel’s 100th career goal lifts Penguins past Rangers 3-2
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jake Guentzel scored the 100th goal of his NHL career with less than two minutes remaining, rallying the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. Guentzel’s goal at 18:29 was his second of the season. Bryan Rust also scored and Tristan Jarry made 20 saves for the Penguins. Colin Blackwell and Ryan Strome scored for the Rangers.

Guentzel’s winner lifts Penguins by Capitals 4-3 in shootout
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jake Guentzel beat Ilya Samsonov in the fourth round of a shootout and the Pittsburgh Penguins picked up their first win of the season with a 4-3 victory over Washington. Casey DeSmith stopped 20 shots in regulation then turned aside T.J. Oshie, Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin in the shootout as the Penguins avoided their first 0-3 start since 2015-16. Evan Rodrigues, Colton Sceviour and Marcus Pettersson all scored their first goals of the season for Pittsburgh. Ovechkin got his 707th career goal to move within one of Hall of Famer Mike Gartner for seventh on the all-time list.