Penguins 2, Coyotes 1
PENGUINS 2, COYOTES 1: Marc-Andre Fleury made 36 saves to help extended host Pittsburgh's season-high winning streak to six games.
The Penguins opened the scoring on Zbynek Michalek’s blast from the slot at 11:44 of the first period. Chris Kunitz delivered 3:01 later, beating Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith blocker side following an odd-man rush.
Fleury turned away the first 25 shots faced, including a gutsy save when he rushed Martin Hanzal to foil a shorthanded breakaway chance late in the second period.
Phoenix is 0-3 in March after a sizzling 11-0-1 record in February and has lost six of its last eight meetings with the Penguins.
The Coyotes' Radim Vrbata found a streaking Ray Whitney, who beat Fleury top corner at 1:27 of the third period. Whitney has scored in five of his last six games and has 21 goals this season.
Penguins center Evgeni Malkin extended his point streak to eight games with an assist on Kunitz’s goal and has found his way onto the scoresheet in 12 of his last 13 outings.
Pittsburgh is 10-1 in its last 11 home games and re-established a four-point lead over Philadelphia for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Smith allowed two goals on 11 first-period shots but stood strong the rest of the way, stopping 26 of 28 shots faced.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Penguins coach Dan Bylsma burned his timeout with his team gassed with 32 seconds remaining in the first period. … Phoenix has been outscored 12-2 in the first period over the past seven games. … A sparrow made its way into the Consol Energy Center, keeping the fans entertained between plays. … Penguins defenseman Kris Letang sat out with concussion-like symptoms. ... The Coyotes won the faceoff battle 34-25.