"Defenseman Kris Letang was awfully excited to return to the lineup following a 21-game absence with a concussion. After all, he was missing out on Evgeni Malkin's magic.

Malkin scored two goals, and the Penguins put together one of their best performances of the season in a commanding 4-1 victory Thursday over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The Penguins, who have won four straight after losing six in a row, are now tied with New Jersey for sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

"It's fun to see him (Malkin) going like this," said Letang, who led the Penguins in ice time and added an assist. "I had a chance to watch him from up top (in the press box). Playing with him is pretty cool.""