Apr 17, 2013 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – As the regular season winds down, the Pittsburgh Penguins are solidifying their playoff position.

They took another step toward clinching first place in the Eastern Conference with Wednesday’s 6-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at Consol Energy Center.

“It’s a good accomplishment to win that first seed and win the conference, but the big picture is we want to keep playing well and make sure we’re hitting our stride when that first game in the playoffs comes,” defenseman Matt Niskanen said.

Brenden Morrow and Brandon Sutter each scored two goals, Jarome Iginla notched his 1,100th career point, and the Penguins rode a three-goal first period to a season sweep of the Canadiens.

Four of the six Penguins goals were scored by players who were acquired in the week before the trading deadline. Coach Dan Bylsma noted that although Morrow has been conspicuous with consecutive two-goal games, he’s been contributing in many ways since he was acquired from Dallas.

“He’s added on the score sheet as of late, but that’s really only a small portion of what he’s brought,” Bylsma said. “Jarome Iginla as well. He’s gotten comfortable after a few games. He’s a presence on our team, a presence on the power play now. He’s become a shooter there.”

Iginla is a lock for the Hall of Fame, but Morrow doesn’t have a lot of flashy numbers. He adds value in ways that maybe only coaches notice.

“Just about every game, Brenden Morrow has laid a body check, been physical on a guy, been there on the forecheck, been there as a net-front presence,” Bylsma said. “He’s had a number of big hits, but he’s also been a presence in the (locker) room.”

It is the first time in franchise history that the Penguins have won all their games against Montreal.

More importantly, the Penguins opened a nine-point lead over the Canadiens in the conference standings. The Penguins have won five straight games and 20 of their last 22.

It was also notable that defenseman Douglas Murray ended a 146-game goal drought, scoring one of the Penguins’ goals off Iginla’s faceoff win. Murray’s last goal had been on Dec. 9, 2010.

Iginla won the faceoff and Murray took a shot from the right point that hit Montreal center Tomas Plekanec’s stick and bounced in off goalie Carey Price’s shoulder.

“That’s a play where I’m supposed to go over to (Niskanen) but it was kind of a wobbly faceoff and their guys were on him pretty quick,” Murray said. “I put the puck to the net and sometimes good things happen.”

After the Penguins jumped out to a 3-0 lead, the Canadiens switched goalies and became more aggressive. Morrow fought with the always-agitating P.K. Subban, much to the delight of a crowd that boos whenever Subban touches the puck.

The Penguins needed that first-period cushion. Morrow’s second goal made it 4-0 early in the second, but Brian Gionta scored for Montreal. Then Sutter and Alex Galcheynuk traded goals before the period ended.

Gabriel Dumont and Andre Markov wrapped third period goals around Murray’s score. Markov scored with 10.4 seconds left.

“I’m a little disappointed that it wound up four goals against,” Bylsma said.

Sutter got Pittsburgh’s first goal during 4-on-4 play at 7:24 of the first. Sutter skated down then left side, used the retreating Subban as a screen and put a shot over Peter Budaj’s glove.

Just 2:06 later, Morrow made it 2-0, beating Budaj with a shot over the right shoulder.

Iginla closed the first-period scoring with a power play goal at 19:39. Chris Kunitz patiently held the puck and, with Kris Letang moving into the crease, slipped a cross-ice pass to Iginala. He was able to easily lift the puck over the sprawling Budaj for his 1,100th point.

“It’s been great to be here,” Iginla said. “It goes fast, and it’s nice to hit the milestone.”

The Penguins won again with a virtual all-star unit missing from the lineup: Sidney Crosby (broken jaw), Evgeni Malkin (shoulder), James Neal (concussion) and Paul Martin (hand surgery) were all out.

“That’s been a common theme since I’ve been here,” Niskanen said. “There’s been some stars out for extended periods since I’ve been in Pittsburgh, but we just play the same way. Whoever is plugged into the lineup, play the game the same way. We have high expectations, no matter who is playing.”

Notes: Forward Jussi Jokinen left the game after a few shifts in the second period and did not return. Byslma said that Jokinen became ill. … Center Joe Vitale wasn’t able to finish the game after he was struck by a puck. Bylsma said Vitale had a bruise. … The Penguins have killed 37 of 38 shorthanded situations over the last 11 games against the Canadiens. … The Penguins added Mark Recchi and Dr. Charles Burke to their all-time team in a pre-game ceremony with co-owner Mario Lemieux. Recchi had three separate stints with the Penguins and scored 154 of his 577 NHL goals for Pittsburgh. Burke was the team physician for 25 years. … Pascal Dupuis extended his scoring streak to a season-best six games. … The Penguins play in Boston on Friday.