TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin celebrates his first-period goal against the Capitals at Mellon Arena, Jan. 21, 2008.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
The referee's arm went up, Dany Sabourin headed for the bench and Evgeni Malkin jumped over the boards, banging his stick on the ice as he went -- tap-tap-tap-tap-tap -- demanding the puck from Kris Letang.
Letang obliged.
The Penguins, apparently, are starting to figure this life-without-Sidney-Crosby thing out.
Malkin accepted that pass from Letang less than six minutes into the first period on Monday night at Mellon Arena and blasted the puck toward Olaf Kolzig. It was one of five shots Malkin launched toward the Capitals' net.
The assault included a backhand that produced Malkin's 25th goal of the season, a spectacular wrap-around on which Malkin faked a move to the forehand that froze Kolzig.
Malkin, while attempting a subsequent similar move, also absorbed a charge from fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin with such strength and balance that it was Ovechkin who ultimately went bouncing into the boards after bouncing off Malkin. When the play was finally whistled dead, Malkin sought out Ovechkin and let him know in no uncertain terms such shenanigans were unacceptable.
The crowd roared its approval, chanting "Ge-no, Ge-no, Ge-no."
And then the first period ended.
The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin takes out the Capitals' Alex Ovechin in the first period at Mellon Arena, Jan. 21, 2007.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
Less than four minutes into the second, Malkin struck again, countering an Ovechkin tally and pronounced celebration with a wicked wrist shot from the slot for Goal No. 26 and a mustard-on-the-hot-dog response.
Malkin, clearly, has accepted the challenge.
In doing so, he's provided for the Penguins a blueprint as to how to survive Sid The Kid's absence:
Get Malkin the puck and get out of the way.
His contributions to Monday night's 6-5, shootout loss to the Capitals came on the heels of a performance by Malkin on Saturday night in Montreal that was as dominating as anyone could hope for from anyone in any uniform, Crosby included.
And all of a sudden it doesn't take an interpreter to realize Malkin appreciates the opportunity created by Crosby's high-ankle misfortune.
Although a year older than the Penguins' 20-year-old captain, Malkin is a year behind in terms of adjusting to the NHL and just under a couple decades shy of Crosby's experience in North America.
He'll probably never catch up in that department, but Malkin will always be bigger than Crosby, and he's already a better goal-scorer.
It's not inconceivable to suggest Malkin might be the superior player someday.
To become that he'll have to first keep his head attached -- Ovechkin came close to removing it; others will surely try -- and he'll have to deal with unforeseen pressures and distractions Crosby has long since mastered.
In the meantime, Malkin is embracing center stage.
The newfound spotlight suits him.
Mike Prisuta is a columnist for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com or 412-320-7923.
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