Crosby: 'I really love and enjoy' sharing line with Malkin

The Pittsburgh Penguins have put Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the same line for the last three games, and the captain is having a blast turning back the clock.

"It's been a lot of fun," Crosby told Sportsnet after Saturday's win over the Montreal Canadiens. "It's been a long time. I think in those early years, we played together a lot more. You forget just how dynamic he is, obviously watching him. But the way he sees it and the way he dances out there, it's fun to be a part of, and I really love and enjoy playing with him again here."

Crosby has been on fire since joining forces with Malkin on the top line, registering seven points over the three contests, including a pair of goals in Saturday's victory.

Rickard Rakell is the third member of the line, and the trio has dominated in a small sample size. They've outscored opponents 5-0 at five-on-five while controlling 62.7% of shot attempts and 60.85% of expected goals, according to Natural Stat Trick.

"Playing with Raks and Geno, we're generating some looks, we have the puck, and I think that builds some confidence too," Crosby said, according to team reporter Michelle Crechiolo. "They've been unbelievable. So, I think all that combined with just the way we're playing as a group, we're defending better, and it's way more fun to play that way."

Pittsburgh has deployed Crosby and Malkin on different lines for most of the pair's 19 seasons together, forming one of the best one-two punches in league history.

The Penguins are 5-7-1 on the season and 2-1 since uniting their two future Hall of Fame forwards.