In a thrilling matchup on January 8, 2026, the Pittsburgh Penguins triumphed over the New Jersey Devils with a score of 4-1, marking their sixth consecutive win. This game was particularly exciting as Evgeni Malkin made a notable return from an upper-body injury, scoring a power-play goal that energized the home crowd.
Erik Karlsson contributed to the Penguins' success by extending his personal best home points streak to nine games with one goal. Additionally, Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte added to the score sheet for Pittsburgh, emphasizing their strong performance. Remarkably, the Penguins have now secured points in 26 out of the 33 games that Lizotte has participated in this season, highlighting his impact on the team's success.
Sidney Crosby had an impressive night as well, extending his points streak to eight games with two assists. In doing so, he surpassed the legendary Wayne Gretzky for the second-most assists recorded with a single franchise in NHL history. This marks Crosby's first eight-game points streak since the 2012-13 season and showcases his continued excellence on the ice. Over his last eight games, he has accumulated five goals and a total of 14 points, including four consecutive games where he has recorded multiple points.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner was pivotal for the Penguins, making 28 saves during the game. This victory signals the Penguins' first six-game winning streak since December 2022, and they have notably bounced back by winning seven of their last eight games after facing an earlier eight-game losing streak.
On the other side of the rink, Luke Hughes managed to score a power-play goal for the Devils, but this defeat marks their third consecutive loss. New Jersey has struggled significantly, dropping seven of their last nine games. Simon Nemec returned to action after missing 12 games due to a lower-body injury, which is a positive development for the team. Meanwhile, goaltender Jake Allen faced 29 shots, stopping 25 of them, but unfortunately could not prevent the loss.
It's worth noting that before Hughes’ goal, the Devils had experienced a daunting stretch, allowing 14 straight goals, which included the first three goals scored by the Penguins. They also suffered a heavy 9-0 defeat against the New York Islanders earlier in the week and conceded two goals to Carolina just prior to this match.
Looking ahead, the Devils will face off against Winnipeg on Sunday, while the Penguins are set to host Calgary on Saturday.
This game showcases the resilience and skill of the Penguins, creating a buzz among fans about their playoff potential. Will they continue this impressive streak, or will the other teams find ways to counter their momentum? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!
