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Malkin gets 50, Pens close out season by downing Flyers

Apr 8, 2012 - 3:17 AM Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Evgeni Malkin scored his 50th of the season and added one assist, as Pittsburgh took a 4-2 decision over Philadelphia in the season finale for both clubs at CONSOL Energy Center.

"I can't believe it," Malkin said. "I think before when I scored 47, I didn't think I'd ever score 50 in one season. But we see if you work hard you get a chance."

Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz also recorded a goal and a helper each for the Penguins (51-25-6), who ended the regular season with four wins in five games.

Marc-Andre Fleury started, but played 32 minutes and allowed one goal on 15 shots. Brent Johnson subbed from there and stopped five shots to claim victory.

Brayden Schenn and Jaromir Jagr tallied for the Flyers (47-26-9), whose five- game win streak in their rivals' new home rink came to an end.

Sergei Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 23 shots in the loss.

These clubs will face each other in the first round, starting later next week in the Steel City.

"I think every year is different. I don't think there's a secret recipe; I really don't when it gets to the playoffs," said Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette. "Tonight has nothing to do with Wednesday. Wednesday will be a different animal."

Kunitz snuck a shot through Bobrovsky at 7:15 of the second period, but Jagr's wraparound on a power play knotted the game at 12:54.

Jagr was in the box for a hook when Crosby's backhander hit the back of the net with 2:06 left in the second for a 3-2 Pens lead.

Malkin then hit the milestone with 12 seconds remaining on a wrister from between the circles.

The outcome decided and playoff seeding determined, both teams skated through a scoreless third.

"We wanted to make sure we finished strong," Crosby said. "I think we were able to do that here the last few games. The real thing starts now and we'll prepare and get ready for Wednesday."

On his 33rd birthday, Dupuis opened the scoring by pumping one home at 5:33 of the first period, extending his point streak to 17 straight games. Arron Asham flipped the puck while falling to the winger, who zipped a successful one- timer home from the left circle.

Zac Rinaldo was given a major for checking from behind and a game misconduct at the 11:15 mark for pushing Pens defenseman Zbynek Michalek along the end boards. The visitors emerged unscathed and reached intermission tied when Schenn scored from the slot with 53 seconds left.

Game Notes

Despite the loss, the Flyers won four of six in the season series...Malkin became the ninth player in Pens history to hit 50 goals, after Jean Pronovost, Pierre Larouche, Rick Kehoe, Mike Bullard, Mario Lemieux, Kevin Stevens, Jaromir Jagr and Sidney Crosby. He will win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's top scorer with 109 points...The setback left Philadelphia tied for its franchise record for consecutive wins at Pittsburgh at five, originally set from March 6, 1983 to March 28, 1984...The Penguins claimed their most regular-season victories since the 1992-93 squad finished with a club-record 56...Fleury could have tied Tom Barrasso's team record for most wins in a season with 43, set in 1992-93...Flyers forward Claude Giroux did not play due to an upper- body injury and Philly recalled forward Harry Zolnierczyk from Adirondack of the AHL.