PITTSBURGH: Matt Niskanen’s goal and a key penalty kill kept the Pittsburgh Penguins’ winning streak going.

Niskanen scored the go-ahead goal in the third period and Sidney Crosby had two assists and Pittsburgh Penguins extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals yesterday. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves in his NHL-leading 16th win of the season.

Crosby picked up his league-leading 36th and 37th assists for the Penguins, who were without reigning MVP Evgeni Malkin (shoulder) for the sixth game in a row. The Penguins were also without defenseman Kris Letang (lower body injury).

“Obviously it’s an important time in the game and I thought the penalty kill did an amazing job of stepping up to the challenge,” Niskanen said. AGENCIES