DETROIT — Evgeni Malkin is picking up the slack with Sidney Crosby out, making dazzling plays on offense and getting back on defense.

Malkin and Jake Guentzel each had a goal and two assists to help the Pittsburgh Penguins build a two-goal lead midway through the second period en route to a 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old Malkin scored on a whirling shot that got past Jonathan Bernier midway through the second period, restoring a two-score lead with his eighth goal of the season and 399th of his career.

“I’m thrilled with Geno’s game right now,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s having success at both ends of the rink.”

Crosby missed his 13th game in a row, recovering from last month’s surgery to repair a core muscle.

The Penguins have made up for the loss of the superstar by having an NHL-high 24 players score at least one goal this season.