Evgeni Malkin just made his intentions clear that could shape the Penguins' future
Photo credit: The Hockey Beast
Penguins' Evgeni Malkin has made his intentions clear for the rest of the season: he will do whatever he can to lead this team into the playoffs.
More than a year ago, Evgeni Malkin sat at his PPG Paints Arena locker and candidly wondered what his final NHL years would resemble. At the time, a question about whether he might retire without experiencing playoff hockey again hit him hard.
"One hundred percent no," Evgeni Malkin told The Athletic in September 2024. "I love the playoffs so much and I love our fans so much. I need to feel it again. I couldn't leave if I never play in the playoffs again. Not until then."
What has led the Penguins to currently sit in a playoff spot
Now, with the Penguins unexpectedly in the mix, he may finally get another shot, and he's been one of the biggest reasons why.
As the Penguins prepare for their NHL Global Series games this weekend against the Nashville Predators in Stockholm, they are in a playoff position with nearly a quarter of the season complete.
Malkin, whose contract expires at the end of the year, has recently acknowledged that this could be his final chapter. At the same time, he's made it clear he has no desire to walk away just yet.
What he wants most is one more postseason run, and he believes this team has the ability to make it happen.
"We try our best. (Sidney Crosby) is playing unbelievable. This is a good group. If we stay healthy, for sure we can make the playoffs."
- Evgeni Malkin
- Evgeni Malkin
In 17 games so far, Malkin has 21 points. He may not be scoring as much anymore, but the Russian's playmaking and overall impact remain elite. He's contributed to the Penguins, now sitting third in a packed Metropolitan Division.
Why Evgeni Malkin claims to not care about personal stats
The numbers would suggest otherwise, but Malkin continues to say that personal stats don't matter anymore; wins do.
For a team in a so-called rebuild, the Penguins weren't supposed to be anywhere near playoff contention. But this rebuild isn't following the usual script.
If Pittsburgh can keep this up, making the playoffs would be a remarkable achievement, and a fitting reward for a veteran still chasing one more spring on hockey's biggest stage.
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