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Conklin looking to lead Penguins to sixth straight win

Jan 5, 2008 - 2:13 PM Florida (19-19-3) at Pittsburgh (22-16-2) 3:00 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - Whether inside or out, Ty Conklin has the Pittsburgh Penguins rolling.

The 31-year-old netminder looks for continued success Saturday when the Penguins host the Florida Panthers.

Conklin, who was called up on December 7 after starting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury sustained an injury, has been in the crease for Pittsburgh during its current five-game win streak - including a 2-1 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres in the Winter Classic on Monday. He has surrendered just eight tallies during that span.

Evgeni Malkin recorded his first career hat trick and was part of a three-goal outburst in a 48-second span in the third period Thursday as the Penguins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-2. The 21-year-old Malkin has 18 goals and 44 points this season.

The Panthers ended a three-game losing streak Thursday after defenseman Jassen Cullimore made up for any earlier mistake. Cullimore scored 93 seconds into overtime, lifting Florida to a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders.

With the game even late in the third period, Cullimore was called for tripping with 2:05 remaining. But the Panthers were able to successfully kill the penalty, giving the blue-liner a chance to redeem himself.

This game originally was schedule to be played in the evening, but was rescheduled to accommodate fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night in the opening round of the AFC playoffs.