BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Evgeni Malkin had a goal and assist and Ty Conklin stopped 36 shots in leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night.

Petr Sykora, with a goal and assist, Jarkko Ruutu and Colby Armstrong also scored in a victory that moved the Penguins into a tie with idle New Jersey atop the Atlantic Division standings.

Conklin, who improved to 15-4-3, played a key role by stopping the first 25 shots he faced, allowing the Penguins to build a 2-0 lead midway through the second period.

Thomas Vanek scored for Buffalo, which has lost two straight since enjoying an 8-0-2 run, and squandered a chance to jump ahead of Boston in the playoff race. The two teams are tied for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference.

Ruutu and Sykora broke the game open by scoring opportunistic goals two minutes apart in the second period.

Ruutu had just stepped out of the penalty box when Ryan Malone hit him for a long pass, setting up a wide-open breakaway. Driving in on Ryan Miller, Ruutu faked forehand and neatly backhanded in a shot 7:28 into the frame.

Sykora's goal came on a fortunate bounce during an odd-man rush. Sabres defenseman Henrik Tallinder blocked Malkin's initial shot, but the puck dribbled directly to Sykora, who swept it in the open left side.

After Vanek scored late in the second period, Malkin sealed the victory by tapping in a loose puck in front eight minutes into the third period. Malkin extended his point streak to eight games (seven goals, 12 assists), the longest active in the NHL.

The Sabres controlled the play — outshooting the Penguins 11-0 through eight minutes and 17-6 after the first period — but didn't have any goals to show for it.

Conklin was sharp, his best stop coming during a 2-on-1 break when he got across in time to snag Tim Connolly's shot from the right circle eight minutes into the game.