By The Canadian Press

Malkin, Novak lead Pittsburgh Penguins past Calgary Flames 4-1

Jan 21, 2026 | 9:20 PM

CALGARY — Tommy Novak and Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist each on Wednesday to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-1 NHL victory over the Calgary Flames.

Yegor Chinakhov and Bryan Rust also scored for Pittsburgh (24-14-11). The Penguins have points in five straight (3-0-2) and improved to a 9-2-2 record in their last 13 games.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby earned an assist to extend his point streak to four games (two goals, five assists).

Yegor Sharangovich had the lone goal for Calgary (21-24-5).

Stuart Skinner made 18 saves to improve to 17-12-4. Skinner has won six of his last seven starts.

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On the flip side, Dustin Wolf, who had 21 stops, has lost six of his last seven. He fell to 15-20-2.

The Flames have been limited to two goals in two games since Sunday’s trade that sent defenceman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights. At the time, Andersson was third on the team in scoring amid a career season.

Malkin’s 11th goal at 7:49 of the first period gave the Penguins a lead they never squandered.

TAKEAWAYS

Penguins: Defenceman Kris Letang (upper body) missed his first game of the season. Jack St. Ivany took his spot, chipping in a pair of assists as Pittsburgh avenged its 2-1 home-ice loss to the Flames 11 days ago.

Flames: Martin Pospisil made his season debut after being sidelined with a concussion. The 26-year-old Slovak was recalled Tuesday from the AHL after a two-game conditioning stint. With Jonathan Huberdeau (lower body) a scratch, Pospisil took his spot on the left side of Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. Third in hits in the NHL last season, Pospisil was credited with a game-high five in 12:51 of ice time.

KEY MOMENT

Calgary got on the scoreboard with three seconds left in the second period when Zach Whitecloud’s point shot deflected in off the pants of Sharangovich. Pittsburgh restored its two-goal cushion 50 seconds into the third period with Rust scoring on a wraparound.

KEY STAT

Skinner improved his career record against the Flames to 6-2-1 with a .934 save percentage.

UP NEXT

Penguins: Visit the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.

Flames: Host the Washington Capitals on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2026.

Darren Haynes, The Canadian Press