• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Pittsburgh Penguins

Malkin Finally Passing the Eye Test… Again

By Joshua Crockett December 16th, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Evgeni Malkin has been on a point-per-game scoring pace for the past five seasons. If we were to compare those five seasons to the five seasons before those, it wouldn’t be remiss to believe that Malkin’s production is slipping.

What Once Was…

Once considered perhaps the third or fourth best hockey player in the world, Malkin is now considered in some circles as one of the top 10 or 20 players in the NHL. He’s not keeping poor company, as he’s still a superb playmaker and top-line talent, but it’s still a notch below where he once was. (At one point during his career, some Pittsburgh media members had him ranked above Alexander Ovechkin for the number two spot.)

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, Fantasy Hockey

Malkin’s “East/West” play hasn’t been the usual detriment of his game this season. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

This year, though, Malkin seems a bit different. It’s all about the “eye-test” and how he’s establishing his on-ice presence. Malkin is often criticized for playing too “East/West” when the Penguins play a more “North/South” game. What’s different this year from past seasons is that Malkin’s “East/West” game is far more relaxed than usual.

He’s not forcing his game. It’s more controlled. Yes, “East/West” is still very much a part of who he is, but the moments in which he exercises that “East/West” mentality are chosen with care. He’s commanding his game without negative consequences for himself or the Penguins.

Malkin has always been a puck carrier, especially out of his own zone. That much hasn’t changed. What has changed is that Malkin is carrying the puck further up the ice, with far greater speed than he has in recent years. He’s challenging defenders by entering the offensive zone with the puck, even attempting to split the defense at times. And when he’s successful; he creates opportunity.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of Malkin’s resurgence is that he’s looking to make plays more frequently. Whether he’s stick-handling through a pair of defenders or skating the puck up the boards, he senses the presence of his teammates. He’s passing to open space, not just a line-mate. Not long ago, it was far too easy for a defender to pick him off at the opposing blueline, or have the puck stripped away and dumped into a corner.

A great example of his recent success is his assist on Bryan Rust’s overtime goal against the Boston Bruins:

A Return to Form

Evgeni Malkin led the Seeking his Conn-Smythe winning form, Malkin has refined his game for the better. - Penguins over the Jets with five points on the afternoon (Tom Turk/THW)

Seeking his Conn-Smythe winning form, Malkin has refined his game for the better. (Tom Turk/THW)

Malkin is playing with the sort of confidence that I haven’t seen since he won the Conn Smythe trophy in 2009. It’s easy to draw comparisons to that playoff run when he had 36 points in 24 games. With Malkin currently sitting at 33 points in 30 games, he’s just under half a point off the pace he set during that 2009 Stanley Cup Championship season.

And while he continues to push towards becoming more than just a point-per-game player, he’s elevating the play of his linemates. Jake Guentzel (who has since been returned to the AHL) recently had an opportunity to play with Malkin during his first NHL game. The result was a two-goal night for the youngster.

Malkin Behaving (Sort Of)

Finally, there’s one thing that Malkin DOESN’T do quite as much anymore which helps explain why he’s beginning to show flashes of his old, dominant self. There was a time, not so long ago, when Malkin was easily shaken by physical play from opposing players. Repeated assaults on him or one of his teammates generally ‘got under his skin’ which ultimately led to poorly-timed penalties that were considered selfish.

Malkin has been able to shrug off questionable plays during 2016-17, for the most part. - Sean Couturier, Evgeni Malkin (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Malkin has been able to shrug off questionable plays during 2016-17, for the most part. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Much like his “East/West” game, Malkin hasn’t truly eliminated the ugly penalty from his game. In fact, he’s on pace to match (or exceed) his regular season record for penalty minutes, also set in 2008-09. But Malkin’s temperament has remained cool as he hasn’t appeared rattled when part of a questionable play that may have resulted in an ugly scrum. Simply put: when Malkin behaves, he protects the best interests of his team.

For better, Malkin has re-shaped his game, if only ever so slightly. And those slight adjustments have paid off, helping the Penguins earn the top spot in the Metropolitan Division, for now. He’s tied for the team lead in scoring and he’s still the harbinger of exciting and entertaining plays.

With any luck, he’ll continue to allow his confidence to be his guide while still passing the “eye test.”

Last 5 Games Table
Scoring Goals Assists
Date Opp G A PTS +/- PIM EV PP GW EV PP TOI
2016-12-14 BOS 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 18:57
2016-12-12 ARI 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 15:56
2016-12-10 @ TBL 2 0 2 0 4 0 2 1 0 0 17:31
2016-12-08 @ FLA 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 16:48
2016-12-05 OTT 1 2 3 3 0 1 0 1 2 0 18:46
2016-17: Complete Gamelog | Scoring Log | Advanced Stats | Splits
Provided by Hockey-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/15/2016.
  • Tags
  • Alex Ovechkin
  • Bryan Rust
  • Evgeni Malkin
  • Jake Guentzel
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 21st 10:15 AM
Anaheim Ducks

3 Takeaways From the Ducks Series Against the Wild

Jan 21st 10:05 AM
Column

Prospects News & Rumors: Safonov, Coronato & Sebrango

Jan 21st 9:55 AM
San Jose Sharks

5 Sharks’ Takeaways From Blues Series: Faceoffs, Penalty Kills & More

Jan 21st 9:45 AM
Commentary

2020-21 NHL Season Will Require More Depth Than Usual

Jan 21st 9:35 AM
New Jersey Devils

Devils Get Goaltending Depth With Aaron Dell Waiver Claim

Jan 21st 9:15 AM
Anaheim Ducks

Ducks Trying to Avoid Making Same Mistake by Starting Zegras in AHL

Jan 21st 9:05 AM
Boston Bruins

Bruins Fans Should Not Overreact to Slow Start

Jan 21st 8:55 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens’ Jake Evans Has Been a Pleasant Surprise on the Penalty Kill

Jan 21st 8:45 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Highly Anticipated Maple Leafs & Oilers Game Ends Up Underwhelming

Jan 21st 8:35 AM
Fantasy

5 Fantasy Hockey Free Agent Targets

Editor’s Picks
NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information