(My Sportsbook) - Evgeni Malkin's return from a seven-game absence was enough to help the Penguins snap their longest losing streak of the season.

Pittsburgh will now try to win back-to-back games in tonight's matchup with the Anaheim Ducks at Mellon Arena in a battle between two of the last three Stanley Cup champions.

The defending champion Penguins went just 2-5-0 without Malkin in the lineup, as the star Russian was sidelined due to a strained right shoulder. However, he made his return on Saturday versus Boston, notching three assists in a 6-5 overtime victory that halted a four-game skid.

Bill Guerin tied the contest with 0.4 seconds left and Pascal Dupuis' second goal of the night and 100th of his career 1:24 into OT improved the Pens to 6-4-0 at home this year.

"We didn't play the game we wanted to play. But you know what, we got out of here with a win. We needed a big win and it doesn't matter how we go it," said Dupuis.

Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists, both Jay McKee and Mark Eaton lit the lamp and Brent Johnson made 28 saves for the win. Pittsburgh hasn't won two straight since October 28 and 30.

Though Malkin returned, the Penguins are still without a host of players, including Sergei Gonchar (wrist), Kris Letang (shoulder), Brooks Orpik (lower body) and Chris Kunitz (lower body).

Pittsburgh will aim to keep Anaheim winless on its four-game road trip that concludes tonight. The Ducks, who won the Stanley Cup in 2007, are 0-2-1 thus far on the swing after Saturday's 7-4 loss to Detroit. The two clubs combined for five goals in the contest's third period, but five of those were netted by the Red Wings.

Ryan Getzlaf led the way with a goal and three assists for the Ducks, extending his point streak to 11 games (2 goals, 17 assists). Getzlaf also has an assist in a club-record 10 straight games.

Corey Perry added a goal and a helper to run his point streak to 11 games as well. He has nine goals and seven assists on his run, which ties Getzlaf for the longest active streak in the league.

Bobby Ryan and Joffrey Lupul also scored while Jonas Hiller gave up six goals on 36 shots for the Ducks, who were dealt their third straight loss and fifth in a row on the road.

"I thought we did a lot of things well to give ourselves a chance in the hockey game," said Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle. "Again, we gave up too many. We had enough defensive miscues and there was a couple goals that shouldn't have gone in the net."

Saku Koivu missed his third straight game due to a lower-body injury, while Ryan Carter sat out his second in a row thanks to a bruised right foot. Both players are questionable for tonight.

The Ducks are 2-3-3 on the road this year and play their next seven at home following this contest.

The Penguins have won three straight and four of the last five meetings between the clubs, including a 4-3 road victory on November 3. The Ducks have lost three in a row at Pittsburgh, where they haven't won since October 6, 2001.

Anaheim is just 2-7-0 with a pair of ties all-time in the Steel City.