PITTSBURGH, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Chris Kunitz delivered two of Pittsburgh's four second-period goals Thursday in propelling the Penguins to a 5-1 decision over San Jose.
It was the 500th career game for Pittsburgh superstar Sidney Crosby and he celebrated by contributing three assists. The Penguins won their fifth in a row, their longest such streak of the season.
Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin was a late scratch with a lower body injury, but his teammates picked up the offensive slack by producing four goals in the first 7:30 of the second period.
Pascal Dupuis deflected a shot past Antti Niemi 27 seconds into the middle period to begin the scoring and Jayson Megna doubled the lead at the 2:34 mark. Kunitz then delivered his two goals two minutes apart, his 15th and 16th of the season.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 44 saves in the victory.
San Jose had a six-game win streak halted. Niemi was removed after two periods having allowed four goals on 27 shots. Alex Stalock let one of the three shots he saw get past him in the third.
