Malkin and Crosby reach key milestones as Penguins defeat Sabers 6-5 in overtime

There were many storylines in the Penguins' 6-5 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabers on Wednesday – almost too many to list.

But as always, the biggest stars stole the show.

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Evgeni Malkin scored his 500th career goal and Sidney Crosby scored his 1,600th career point and the overtime victory as the Penguins emerged victorious in a wild back-and-forth game. Bryan Rust, Drew O'Connor, Jesse Puljujarvi and Rickard Rakell also added goals for the Penguins.

Malkin became just the fourth active player to reach the 500-goal mark, joining Washington's Alex Ovechkin, Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos and teammate Crosby. He becomes the 48th player in NHL history to join the 500-goal club.

He also contributed three assists to secure the win.

“It's not easy, it's a long road to get to 500 points, but I'm happy to do it tonight,” Malkin said. “I finally have points. Now I'm more relaxed, calmer. I don't think too much. Sleep better and just play hockey. But probably for the first time I want to say “I’m proud” of myself. That’s a great number for me.”

Crosby also had a memorable night. He got his 1,600th. point by assisting on Bryan Rust's power-play goal in the first period, and he added the only assist on Malkin's goal as well as the overtime power-play game-winner to cap a three-point night.

Related: BREAKING: Penguins center Evgeni Malkin scores 500th career goal

And he was happy to have set up Malkin's 500th goal, just as Malkin had set up his.

“That’s what I wanted going into the last few games,” Crosby said. “I wanted to find a way. Sometimes it doesn't work that way. Obviously we don't play together on the same line that often. So whether it was a power play or something, I was hoping that I had the opportunity to try to find him and it worked out.

He continued: “He prepared me so well for my 500th and I was hoping I could return the favor.”

It's hard to quantify how much these two players have meant to the franchise – and the city of Pittsburgh – for nearly two decades. But Malkin appreciates that he and Crosby had the opportunity to reach milestones together during that time.

“I’m the only assistant for him at .500, and he’s the only assistant for me,” Malkin said. “It's crazy. Sometimes I don't understand how this works. But this is a great story for me and him. We probably deserve to spend this night together.”

While that was certainly the big headline of the night, there's a lot more to talk about. Here are a few more thoughts and observations about today's win:

– This game was wild from start to finish, swinging in all directions. And a lot of that was down to the goalkeeper.

The Penguins were down 2-0 early in the game as starting goaltender Tristan Jarry struggled early on. Rust's power play goal gave them some momentum back, but Jarry allowed JJ Peterka a third goal just 32 seconds later, making it three goals on just five Buffalo shots.

He was subtracted in favor of freshman Joel Blomqvist, who was outstanding, stopping 26 of 28 shots in relief. Jarry has been sent off in three of his last six home starts.

It's safe to say that things aren't looking good for Jarry. With Alex Nedeljkovic nearing his return from injury, the Penguins have some decisions to make with their goalies.

Related: Penguins' Crosby scores 1,600th Point

In the young season, Jarry has allowed 12 goals in three games and has a goals against average (GAA) of 5.47 and a save percentage (SV%) of 0.833. Even though he's only started three games, that's simply not enough, especially in a phase where the Penguins need to play a lot of games and get as many wins as possible.

And things wouldn't be so discouraging for Jarry if Blomqvist was struggling.

Spoiler alert: He's not. Not at all.

Blomqvist was the star of the Penguins' second half. After serious misplays by defenders Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang, he made three big stops on three Buffalo breakways, and in four-on-four play he parried a crucial attack on a two-on-one by the Sabres. He was probably the main reason the Penguins were able to keep the game close and ultimately secure the win.

This is what good, timely and engaging goaltending can do for a team. Simply put, the Penguins get this from Blomqvist, and only Blomqvist at the moment.

His lateral movements are quick. He plays with confidence and makes a big impression in the net. The rookie has the attitude of a veteran. Over the course of three games, he posted a 2.86 GAA and a .913 SV%.

For now – at least for now – this is his network. There should be no debate. He earned it through his performance.

Related: Is there a goaltending controversy in Pittsburgh?

– Despite two goals – and almost a third goal – the power play looked chaotic tonight. The Penguins spent much of their time exploiting the man advantage in the neutral and defensive zones. It featured the same slow, sedentary characteristics that plagued the unit for much of last season.

The worst thing that could happen to them would be to fall back into old habits that don't work. They need to simplify things again, like they did for most of the preseason and early part of the regular season: short passes, player movement and no holding onto pucks.

It's a difference between day and night. They were able to finish tonight, but they won't be able to do so with consistency if the unit looks the way it did against the Sabres.

– Puljujarvi continues to impress just about everyone.

In the second period, Lars Eller played a perfect pass to Puljujarvi, who was alone in front of the Buffalo net. He deked and scored a beautiful backhand goal, similar to a goal he had scored in pre-season, and the score was 3-3 for now:

Sullivan called it a “goal from a scorer.” If this is the version of Puljujarvi that the Penguins continue to get, it would be wise to think about making him a contract offer sooner rather than later.

– O'Connor scored a huge three-on-four goal while shorthanded that cut Buffalo's lead to 3-2 and helped give the Penguins even more momentum in the latter parts of the second period.

This was a big goal for O'Connor and the Penguins. Although this goal came in a shootout, it is another example of the Penguins' legitimate strength this season.

Sullivan said he likes the way the third line of O'Connor, Eller and Puljujarvi looks right now and that it's good to have options to move guys like O'Connor up or down the lineup.

I expect O'Connor to get some time alongside Crosby, but for now the Penguins should probably leave this line alone.

– These penguins are certainly not boring.

The first two periods have already been discussed. With the score tied at 3-3 at the start of the third period, Malkin scored his 500th goal to give the Penguins the lead. But at halftime of the period, Buffalo scored two goals in 40 seconds to regain the lead.

Related: Bottom-Six prevail as Penguins defeat Canadiens 6-3

Then, with the goalie pulled and just 46 seconds left on the clock, Rakell tied the game by scoring his third goal of the season. All of this led to Crosby winning overtime 1:38 seconds into the power play.

This was one of those games that will be remembered for a long time. Ups and downs, swings in momentum and the big stars.

– Building on that, the Penguins will play a divisional game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. The Hurricanes are off to a 1-1 start, and the Penguins will have to play a much tighter and defensively conscientious game if they want to get the win.

O'Connor said they weren't happy with their play despite winning against Buffalo. Blomqvist saved the Penguins' defense on multiple occasions, so it would be wise to clean up a bit before Friday's game.