3 things we learned in the NHL: Letang climbs elite Penguins’ list

Pittsburgh Penguins' Phil Kessel celebrates with Kris Letang. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Kris Letang tied Paul Coffey for most goals by a Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman, Evgeni Malkin became the youngest Russian to notch 600 assists, and Ben Bishop continued to dominate the Buffalo Sabres.

Here are three things we learned in the NHL Wednesday night.

Kris Letang ties Paul Coffey

With his 108th goal of his 13-year career, Kris Letang tied Pittsburgh Penguins legend Paul Coffey for most goals by a defenceman in franchise history.

Letang jumped up into the rush and took a Phil Kessel feed down the right wing, and absolutely sniped one past a helpless Andrei Vasilevskiy for his 12th goal of the season, giving the Pens a 4-0 stranglehold over the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning.

After battling injury problems for the last few years, the 31-year-old has consistently been one of the best defenceman in the NHL this season. The offensive-minded defenceman has chipped in 12 goals and added 30 assists in 48 contests this season.

Malkin becomes youngest Russian to notch 600 assists

Letang wasn’t the only Penguins player to accomplish a milestone Wednesday night. Evgeni Malkin notched his 600th career NHL assist becoming only the fourth Russian-born player — and the youngest — to accomplish the feat.

Malkin also became only the fourth Penguins player to hit 600 assists, joining Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby, of course, Mario Lemieux.

But he’s not a top-100 player, right?

Bishop continues dominance over Sabres

Although he left the conference in 2017, there’s no other team that Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop likes prying on more than the Buffalo Sabres.

In a tight 1-0 win, Bishop made 30 saves for his third shutout of the season, which also extended his personal win streak over the Buffalo Sabres to a remarkable 11 games. Only Braden Holtby’s 12-game win streak against the Boston Bruins is longer.

It’s a good thing for Sabres fans that Bishop plays in the west.

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