PITTSBURGH — This has been a disappointing season for Evgeni Malkin, whose disappearing act this calendar year is among the main reasons why the Penguins were playing in a battle of the Metropolitan Division basement Thursday at PPG Paints Arena.

But in their 3-2 win against the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets – their second straight victory – Malkin reminded everyone of the player he was in his prime.

And Malkin offered hope that maybe, just maybe, his star has not fully faded.

He scored twice in what was a dominant second period as an individual – and nearly netted a couple more. He skated with pep in his step and he stickhandled with swagger. Almost singlehandedly, Malkin snapped the Penguins out of their funk in the second period. Then they completed their comeback in the third.

The Penguins had their chances early, but Blue Jackets goalie Daniil Tarasov kept them off the scoreboard. Two of his best saves came on Pittsburgh’s first power play. He scrambled to stop Bryan Rust and later Sidney Crosby in tight.

Alex Nedeljkovic was tested, too. At one point, he kicked out a try by Alexandre Texier, who had darted behind Malkin and the defense for a partial breakaway.

Malkin took over the game during the second period, keeping Pittsburgh in it.

Columbus became the first team to score when Mathieu Olivier batted the puck out of the air past Nedeljkovic. A video review was needed to confirm his goal.

Pittsburgh struck back a few minutes later with a power-play goal from Malkin.

With the Penguins in the midst of one of the worst power-play seasons in team history, Malkin was moved to the second power-play unit a few weeks ago. That had to be a shot to Geno’s ego. He still sees himself on being one of the NHL’s most dangerous players, with nearly 500 career power-play points as proof.

Coach Mike Sullivan put him back on the top unit in last Friday’s loss in Dallas.

Thursday, it felt like old times for Malkin and the Penguins. The Russian ripped a one-timer from his favorite spot — atop the right circle — past his countryman.

It was his 20th goal of the season. Malkin has now hit that milestone 15 times.

The Blue Jackets retook the lead when Cole Sillinger scored on a 3-on-1 rush. But exactly three minutes later, Malkin tied it up again on the man advantage.

This time, Crosby threaded a seam pass through to Malkin, who was lurking low in the left circle. He patiently pulled the puck into a better shooting position and put a shot between Tarasov’s long legs. It might have hit a stick on its way in.

As Malkin grinned wide down on the ice, Malkin’s parents jumped to their feet up in lower bowl. They were in attendance, watching with Malkin’s wife, Anna.

Thursday was Malkin’s third multi-goal game of the season. The last one came on Dec. 27. In the 38 games in between, the 36-year-old netted just six goals.

Drew O’Connor scored on a sweet shot off the rush to give the Penguins their first lead 35 seconds into the third period. Crosby got an assist on that one, too.

The captain has piled up multiple points in three straight games, and he is on the verge of yet another season in which he averaged at least one point a game.

ICE CHIPS

— The Penguins have won 15 straight home games against the Blue Jackets. Columbus last won here at PPG Paints Arena way back on Nov. 13, 2015.

— Ryan Graves left Thursday’s game with an apparent injury. The defenseman didn’t take a shift in the final two periods nor was he seated on the home bench.

— Jeff Carter returned to the Penguins lineup after he missed the previous four games due to an injury. He bumped young forward Jonathan Gruden up to the press box. Pittsburgh’s other scratches were Emil Bemstrom and John Ludvig.

— Jansen Harkins has resumed skating. He has been sidelined since March 7.

— Nedeljkovic made his third straight start, noteworthy with the Penguins saying they are not giving up on the season. Tristan Jarry’s last start was March 22.

— Alex Nylander, who has tallied eight goals and three assists in 15 games since the Penguins traded him to Columbus for Bemstrom, sat out due to an illness.

— Grammy-winning singer Christina Aguilera was in the building cheering on her hometown team. She received a nice ovation when showed on the Jumbotron.

STAT N’AT

1,580 – career points for Crosby, who has moved into 11th place on the NHL’s all-time scoring list with his assist on O’Connor’s goal. He passed Ray Bourque.

COMING UP

The Penguins are scheduled to practice Friday. Their next game is Saturday, a rematch against these Blue Jackets in Columbus. That is the first of four straight road games for the Penguins, all against Metro Division teams.

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