January 30
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Fittingly, as the capper to a four-day stretch over which he constantly unveiled a personality worthy of attention, Penguins center Evgeni Malkin delivered a wicked one-liner about his own teammate after the NHL All-Star Game on Sunday. Of course, defenseman Kris Letang was not a teammate of Malkin's at Scotiabank Place. "Kris plays sometimes in (the) offensive zone, not defensive zone," Malkin said, referring to his set-up of Calgary Flames right winger Jarome Iginla's goal with Letang unsuccessfully defending on the sequence. "(Letang) gives me a chance to score, you know — so I say thank you to him.""
January 28
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Evgeni Malkin was offered a Russian translator and the famous Ottawa doughy treat known as Beaver Tail on Friday afternoon. He passed on both -- matter-of-factly regarding the translator. "I don't need a translator," a grinning Malkin said while being interviewed by Michael Landsberg, Canadian talk show host of the popular afternoon "Off The Record" program that is similar to ESPN's "The Sports Reporters." After a tour de force of interviews, mostly in English but some in his native Russian, Malkin wrapped his All-Star Game media day obligations by joining Landsberg for a live TV interview. TSN's Alyonka Larionov, who previously worked for the Penguins website, was part of the interview --"
January 23
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The rivalry is back. After three close but generally tepid games this season, the star power and intensity that has dominated the rivalry between the Penguins and Capitals resurfaced Sunday at Consol Energy Center. Evgeni Malkin — who else? — delivered an overtime goal to lift the Penguins to a 4-3 victory. Following the game, which featured three lead changes, a frantic final minute of regulation and a showdown between Malkin and Washington star Alex Ovechkin, there was a difference of opinion regarding who was responsible for the victory. Ovechkin was impressed by Malkin, whose goal and two assists increased his league-leading point total to 58. But Ovechkin didn't seem so impressed with"
January 22
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Alex Ovechkin's relationship with Evgeni Malkin has ranged from brotherhood to belligerence, from Olympic roommates to NHL rivals. But the Washington Capitals' falling star has no trouble reaching the consensus these days regarding his Russian countryman. "He's the top player in the league," Ovechkin said Saturday at Consol Energy Center. Ovechkin's tone was that of admiration. "Malkin," he said, "right now dominates." Almost eight years following one of the most top-heavy drafts in NHL history, the first two players selected are moving in opposite directions. Malkin, chosen No. 2, has jumped into the NHL scoring lead and is a leading candidate for MVP honors. All the while, Ovechkin's"
January 20
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Defenseman Kris Letang was awfully excited to return to the lineup following a 21-game absence with a concussion. After all, he was missing out on Evgeni Malkin's magic. Malkin scored two goals, and the Penguins put together one of their best performances of the season in a commanding 4-1 victory Thursday over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The Penguins, who have won four straight after losing six in a row, are now tied with New Jersey for sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. "It's fun to see him (Malkin) going like this," said Letang, who led the Penguins in ice time and added an assist. "I had a chance to watch him from up top (in the press box). Playing with"
January 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Make that captain with a "K." Center Evgeni Malkin joined in his team's support of captain Sidney Crosby by wearing the patented Russian "K" on his sweater during a recent practice. He played like a captain Sunday. With the Penguins reeling after blowing a three-goal, third period lead, Malkin responded with a natural hat trick while leading the Penguins to a 6-3 victory. Malkin also produced two assists. His five-point game catapulted him from ninth to second in the NHL scoring race. "That's what great players do," said center Richard Park, who registered his third goal of the season. "Those things don't surprise us. He's a special player.""
January 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Center Evgeni Malkin simply shrugged his shoulders when asked why he was attacked by Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier on Sunday. Moments earlier, Malkin ducked to avoid a hit from Lecavalier, who was attempting to hit the Penguins center into the boards. Lecavalier then approached Malkin from behind and started throwing punches. He was given four minutes of penalties for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct. Malkin received two minutes for roughing. "Vinny felt that Malkin tried to go for his knees," Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said. "In those situations, he's the captain and he wants to show that we are not going to just take everything and be little poodles and wait for things to"
January 6
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Penguins star Evgeni Malkin wasn't in the locker room following Thursday's practice at Consol Energy Center, but he certainly made his presence felt on Twitter during Tuesday's matchup of Russia and Canada in the world junior championships. Malkin mocked some of his Canadian teammates when Russia jumped to a 6-1 lead, then fell silent as Canada roared back before falling, 6-5. "He's been a little annoying lately," center Jordan Staal said with a smile. Staal's locker is next to Malkin's. "It was well deserved, the way they played," Staal said. "You never want to lose to Russia, especially when you've got this loudmouth beside you.""
December 21
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Sidney Crosby can take his time returning from his bout with concussion-symptoms, so long as Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury keep playing like this. Malkin continued his torrid pace and Fleury held off Chicago's late charge as the Penguins, despite playing without Crosby and with a depleted blue line, produced one of their finest efforts of the season in a 3-2 victory over the high-flying Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago peppered Fleury with 19 shots in the final period but he slammed the door in the final moments, even when the Blackhawks enjoyed a power play during the final 1:29 of regulation. "It got pretty crazy," Fleury said. Malkin's current streak has been pretty crazy, too."
December 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Just when the Penguins need him most, the old Evgeni Malkin has surfaced. Malkin, 10 months removed from significant knee surgery and a couple of years removed from the best-player-in-the-world discussion, is the NHL's hottest player. And maybe its best. With so many key players out of the lineup, Malkin is being leaned on more heavily than any point in his career. The star center is clearly up to the challenge. "And he needs to be," left wing Matt Cooke said. "He's the guy right now. He can't look anywhere else. It's got to be on him, and he knows that. He understands that, and he's playing very well.""
December 14
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Two Russian superstars put on a show Monday at Consol Energy Center. One received an exceptional break, while the other endured total frustration. Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk scored a goal and made a miraculous setup of another, while Penguins center Evgeni Malkin came tantalizingly close to a big night in Detroit's 4-1 win. "Not good luck," Malkin said. Not at all. Malkin scored with 4.5 seconds left in the first period to give the Penguins a lead, but he could have had three or four goals against Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard. In the second period, Malkin's shot trickled through Howard and struck the inside of the post. Malkin then lunged toward the net and slapped a shot toward the"
November 26
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Ottawa Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar was always as much a big brother to center Evgeni Malkin as a teammate during their four seasons with the Penguins. Gonchar is in his second season with Ottawa, but the bond remains. The Russians spent Thanksgiving together — Malkin's girlfriend did the cooking — and Gonchar sounded proud of Malkin's progress since injuring his knee in February. They worked out together in Russia during the summer. "To me," Gonchar said, "it seems like he is making that next step and maturing. He is more serious about his job. Last year, he didn't have a successful season like everyone expected him to have, so obviously, he was hoping to play better." Malkin's"
November 23
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Even though it's only November, captain Sidney Crosby's magnificent return to the NHL has fellow superstar Evgeni Malkin thinking about the Stanley Cup. Malkin admitted to being blown away by Crosby's four-point performance against the Islanders. "If he keeps playing the same way," Malkin said, "we have a good chance to win the Stanley Cup." The Stanley Cup won't be awarded until June, of course, but Malkin couldn't contain his optimism. Monday's 5-0 win marked only the third time in the past two seasons that Crosby, Malkin and center Jordan Staal have played in the same game."
November 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Penguins are without their captain, but they do not lack for leaders. Just look at who did what in a 6-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Consol Energy Center on Tuesday night. Actually, consider who said what. "We got back in the room and some guys told the truth," defenseman Kris Letang said, initially declining to identify the most vocal teammates during a first-intermission "talk." "It was just the truth, and it was that we were playing like (expletive)." Letang later conceded that center Jordan Staal might have expressed that thought. "I'm not saying what the guys said ... but Geno is more a leader by example, and Staalsy will definitely talk more. It's their play on the ice"
November 3
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Penguins coach Dan Bylsma showed Monday that he really is an elite manager of a hockey team. His club's top healthy player, center Evgeni Malkin, did not practice that day. With an ailing right knee that was surgically repaired last season, perhaps Malkin physically needed a break. Then again, maybe Malkin needed a mental break? His performance in a 4-3 loss at Toronto last Saturday certainly indicated as much. His goal and an assist were overshadowed by two careless penalties that resulted in power-plays goals by the Maple Leafs."
October 25
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Center Evgeni Malkin is with the Penguins in New York and could possibly make his return to the lineup tonight against the Islanders. Malkin hasn't played since Oct. 13 because of a sore knee. He practiced with the Penguins on Monday, marking the seventh time in eight days he has skated. Malkin appeared to get through yesterday's 60-minute workout with no sign of discomfort. "(Malkin) is still not ruled in or out for (today's) game," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. Malkin has scored one goal and three assists in three games this season. He skated on a line with left wing Steve Sullivan and right wing James Neal during yesterday's workout."
October 23
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Although he has skated with seemingly no pain for two consecutive days, center Evgeni Malkin remained out of the lineup when the Penguins hosted New Jersey on Saturday. Malkin has not played since Oct. 13 because of lingering scar tissue issues in his surgically repaired knee. He has produced one goal and three assists in three games this season. Malkin practiced with center Sidney Crosby for two days while the Penguins were in Winnipeg and Minnesota earlier this week. He then participated in Friday's practice and Saturday's morning skate. The Penguins believe he will be back in the lineup soon and have emphasized that the injury isn't serious."
October 11
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The opening night for NHL hockey in Pittsburgh won`t include the Penguins` two great centers and their team-conscience defenseman. Evgeni Malkin (undisclosed lower-body injury), Sidney Crosby (concussion) and Brooks Orpik (abdominal) will not play for the Penguins against the Florida Panthers at Consol Energy Center tonight. Orpik, who has yet to play this season after re-aggravating an injury that required offseason surgery, will miss a fourth straight game. He did not participate in a morning practice. Malkin did practice, but was the first player to leave the ice. His injury is not considered long term, coach Dan Bylsma said today."
October 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Penguins center Evgeni Malkin was not in the lineup Sunday night in Edmonton only 24 hours after he missed most of the third period in Calgary with an unidentified injury. The nature of the injury — and when it occurred — remains a mystery. Malkin played only one shift on the power play in the third period against the Flames, and coach Dan Bylsma noted following the game that Malkin "just played a lot of hockey and was a little sore." It wasn't determined until Malkin participated in the pregame skate whether he would play against the Oilers. Malkin never skated hard, looking as though he were testing an injury. The Penguins are saying only that Malkin has a "lower-body injury.""