MALKIN LIFTS PENGUINS TO WITHIN ONE VICTORY OF STANLEY CUP

Evgeni Malkin registered 1-1—2, including what stood as the winning goal, to power the Penguins to a 3-1 series lead and within one victory of the fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history. Pittsburgh can win their first Stanley Cup on home ice Thursday night.

MONDAY’S RESULT
Home Team in Caps
Pittsburgh 3, SAN JOSE 1 – PIT leads 3-1

Malkin, who recorded his first points of the series and also snapped a six-game goal drought, scored his 47th career playoff goal (all w/ PIT) to move past Kevin Stevens(46) and into sole possession of fourth place in franchise history:

Most Career Playoff Goals, Penguins History
1. Mario Lemieux: 76
2. Jaromir Jagr: 65
3. Sidney Crosby: 49
4. Evgeni Malkin: 47
5. Kevin Stevens: 46

Malkin also picked up his 10th career game-winning goal in the postseason, which ranks third in Penguins history behind Jagr (14) and Lemieux (11).

MURRAY NEARS ROOKIE RECORD
Matt Murray made 23 saves, including 11 in the third period, to improve to 14-5 this postseason (2.09 GAA, .925 SV%, 1 SO).

Murray moved within one win of equaling the NHL record for victories by a rookie goaltender within a single playoff year, achieved by Patrick Roy (1986), Ron Hextall(1987) and Cam Ward (2006).

Murray also improved to 5-0 – with a 1.76 goals-against average and .935 save percentage – following a loss this postseason.

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
San Jose @ Pittsburgh, 8:00 p.m., PIT leads 3-1

Stanley Cup Fact – Since the Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939, teams that have taken a 3-1 series lead have gone on to capture the Stanley Cup 31 of 32 times (96.9%). The lone exception: in 1942, when the Maple Leafs became the first team in NHL history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit vs the Detroit Red Wings.