PITTSBURGH (AP) ― 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 on Tuesday.

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.

“We created a lot of energy and some momentum from that. You could feel the crowd getting into it and we were able to go out on a rush there and finish and get the game-winner.”

The winning streak is the longest of the season for the Eastern Conference-leading Penguins and the second-longest in the NHL this season. The Penguins are the first team in NHL history to have 10-game win streaks in three consecutive seasons.

“The importance is probably greater just because of a shortened season, but I think the good thing for us is that we’re playing so many games and I don’t think anyone is thinking a whole lot about it, we’re just going out there and playing the way that we need to,” Crosby said.

NY Rangers 3, New Jersey 2

Ottawa 5, NY Islanders 3

Florida 4, Carolina 1

Columbus 4, Nashville 3

Buffalo 3, Montreal 2

Winnipeg 3, Boston 1

Vancouver 3, St. Louis 2

Los Angeles 3, Phoenix 2