PENGUINS 5, BRUINS 2: James Neal and All-Star Evgeni Malkin secured their respective milestones amid three-point performances as host Pittsburgh posted its season-best ninth straight victory by dumping Boston.

The pair assisted on defenseman Matt Niskanen's first-period tally for Neal's 200th career point and Malkin's 500th. Neal finished with one goal and two assists and Malkin notched three helpers for the Penguins, who improved to 21-4-1 since Jan. 13.

Pittsburgh remained four points behind the Atlantic Division-leading New York Rangers, who rallied for a 4-3 overtime win over the New York Islanders on Sunday.

Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside 34 shots, Chris Kunitz netted his 20th goal and Arron Asham and Pascal Dupuis also tallied in the win.

After Asham opened the scoring 3:24 into the contest, Niskanen doubled the advantage nearly four minutes later with a blast from the point which glanced off Neal and past Tim Thomas.

With Pittsburgh on a 5-on-3 power play, Neal gave Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead with 1:12 left in the first session. Malkin skated into the offensive zone and wired a cross-slot feed to Neal, who quickly wristed a shot past Thomas for his 31st goal.

David Krejci scored twice in the second period with Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin collected the assists. Thomas stopped seven of 10 shots before being pulled in favor of fellow veteran Marty Turco, who made his debut to start the session.

GAME NOTEBOOK: After sitting out on Sunday, Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby is hopeful to return to the ice for Thursday's tilt versus the Rangers. ... Niskanen's tally snapped a nine-game goalless drought. ... Penguins center Jordan Staal had an assist to extend his point streak to eight games. ... Boston center Patrice Bergeron exited the contest early in the second after taking Niskanen's blast off his left knee. Bergeron returned to the bench to start the third before quickly retreating to the locker room. ... Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid exited in the first period with an undisclosed injury.