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Jake Guentzel injured after scoring 20th goal in Penguins' victory

December 31, 2019 at 6:05AM
Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71) celebrates with teammates during the second period after scoring his second goal of an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Jake Guentzel skated over to congratulate Evgeni Malkin, second from right, after Malkin’s second goal. Guentzel later left with an injury. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

PITTSBURGH – Evgeni Malkin's goal in the first minute sparked the Pittsburgh Penguins to a victory that ended with distressing thud.

Jake Guentzel was injured right after getting his 20th goal of the season in the Penguins' 5-2 win Monday night over Ottawa.

Guentzel had a three-point night but left after scoring 6:55 into the third period. Guentzel, a Hill-Murray product who was selected to his first All-Star Game on Monday, tapped a goal into a wide-open net off Malkin's feed, then crashed hard into the wall following contact with Ottawa's Thomas Chabot.

Guentzel immediately went to the dressing room after getting his 200th career point.

"I hope he's not out long," Malkin said. "It didn't look good. But everyone understands it's hockey. It's tough. I need to play better next game if Jake doesn't play."

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan didn't have an update on Guentzel.

"It was really scary," Sullivan said. "Those are always dangerous when you fall that distance from the boards. He's being evaluated. We'll probably have more information on him [Tuesday]."

Malkin scored twice and stretched his points streak to six games. He has seven goals and 24 points in his past 13 games for the Penguins, who have won 10 of 12.

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Nick Paul scored twice for the Senators.

"Defensively in our zone and off the rush, Malkin just kind of ate us up tonight," Senators coach D.J. Smith said.

Associated Press

Pittsburgh Penguins' Jake Guentzel (59) rolls on the ice after being injured after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Pittsburgh. Guentzel left the ice and did not return to the game. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh forward Jake Guentzel crashed into the boards following an easy tap-in goal and had to leave Monday night’s game vs. Ottawa. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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