First, rookie Evgeni Malkin equalled an 89-year-old NHL record. Then, he scored 2:45 into overtime as the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied to clip the Los Angeles Kings 4-3.
It was Pittsburgh's fifth consecutive victory — its longest streak in five years — and came before a capacity crowd of 18,118 at the Staples Center on Wednesday.
Evgeni Malkin, left, celebrates his record-tying goal with Ryan Whitney.
(Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Malkin, 20, broke a 1-1 deadlock 8:29 into the opening period, beating Kings netminder Dan Cloutier with a wrist shot for his sixth goal in his sixth NHL game.
That matches the mark shared by Joe Malone, Newsy Lalonde and Cy Denneny, each of whom scored in their first six games during the NHL's inaugural season in 1917-18.
Malkin later won it in OT on a slapshot with Mattias Norstrom serving a minor penalty for tripping.
"I do not think [he has] surprised anyone in this locker room," said Penguins sophomore Sidney Crosby, who had three assists.
"There is a lot of anticipation for him playing this year and, obviously, with what he had to do to get here first of all and then his injury, he has proved himself even more than what people expected with his play."
Malkin, drafted second overall by Pittsburgh in 2004, has tallied 11 points (seven goals, four assists) through his first six games.
With files from the Associated Press
