PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Evgeni Malkin joked when he was asked after the game on Saturday about being tied for the points lead in the NHL that he wishes the season were over and he won the Hart Trophy. He will have to settle for 79 more opportunities to play and being named the NHL’s Third Star for the opening week of the season.
Malkin has six points (two goals, four assists) to begin the year including a four-point night at Washington (goal, three assists). It’s the 29th four-point game of his career and first since January 10. He’s fourth among all active NHL players in four-point and three assist games.
He is tied with Alexander Mogilny for third-most goals by a Russian-born player in NHL history (473), 10 behind Sergei Fedorov and smiled as he said he’s coming after Alexander Ovechkin (822). Malkin is two points behind Patrick Kane for 41st on the NHL’s all-time points lead (1,235) and four behind Peter Stastny.
It’s not just the points, but Malkin has played hard on each end of the ice. The pressure he put on the puck has helped the Pens to a 2-1 start. Up next, at Detroit on Wednesday night.