"The Penguins probably did not need Evgeni Malkin in this game.

Not when Marc-Andre Fleury continued to play like he could stop a twice-deflected flea in a wind tunnel. With his eyes soldered shut, at that.

But, after having Malkin sit out the previous five games, and seven of the previous eight, because of soreness in his surgically repaired right knee, the Penguins undoubtedly were happy to have him be a part of their 3-0 victory Tuesday night against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum."