Malkin, Crosby lead Penguins

EVGENI MALKIN scored in his return from a lower-body injury, Sidney Crosby added his 16th goal, and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets, 2-1, last night.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 32 shots for the Penguins, who won their sixth straight home game.

Malkin missed two games last week after being injured during a morning skate. He looked fine while bulling his way toward the net 4:16 into the second period for his eighth goal of the season. Crosby pushed his season-point total to an NHL-best 43 when he deflected in a shot by Pascal Dupuis midway through the third.

Matt Calvert scored with less than a minute left for Columbus, spoiling Fleury's shutout bid.

Before the game, the NHL suspended Pittsburgh forward James Neal five games for kneeing Boston forward Brad Marchand during Boston's win on Saturday night.

Marchand had fallen to the ice in the second period while trying to pass when Neal skated toward Marchand.

Neal's left knee connected with the side of Marchand's head as Marchand tried to get up. Neal received a 2-minute penalty for kneeing, but was allowed to return to the game.

In other news, the Penguins placed defenseman Brooks Orpik on the injured reserve Monday with a concussion he suffered after he was punched and knocked unconcious by Boston's Shawn Thornton. The NHL's Department of Player Safety has said it will meet with Thornton and investigate the incident on a date to be determined.