By Mike Prisuta
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, May 9, 2008
The argument revolving around the "best player in the world" may be impossible to accurately define, but this much is undeniable:
Of the three most-often referenced presumptive nominees -- Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin -- two play for the Penguins.
That's the Flyers' problem in the Eastern Conference final.
Eventually, it'll be the Red Wings' or Stars' dilemma.
The emergence of Malkin, particularly since the high-ankle sprain Crosby suffered on Jan. 18, changed everything.
It's elevated the Penguins' game and accelerated their expectations.
It's altered the balance of power in the Eastern Conference and, perhaps, the NHL.
Malkin blossoming as rapidly as he has and coexisting as wonderfully as he does with Crosby has transformed the Penguins from the team of the future into a team on the cusp of a Cup.
It's not that Crosby's injury afforded Malkin a chance to step out from Crosby's massive shadow, Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar said.
From Gonchar's unique perspective as a fellow Russian and as Malkin's landlord, a second year in the NHL and in North America for Malkin have meant everything.
"He's comfortable off the ice, and it's paying off on the ice," Gonchar said.
Deferring to Crosby out of reverence or respect or because even a non-English speaking Russian teenager could recognize the Penguins were Crosby's team was never a part of this equation.
From where Malkin was coming from, Crosby being The Face of the Franchise apparently didn't translate.
"Since Day One (Malkin) said he was just going to out there and play his game," Gonchar said. "We speak Russian, obviously, and he can say to me whatever he wants. He never said he was going to be second, or, 'I want to be first.' Sid is a friend and a teammate, they're good buddies, they're spending time together.
"It's not about being No. 1 or No. 2 between them."
Crosby remains The Face of the Franchise from a media and marketing standpoint.
Malkin is content to slip anonymously back to Gonchar's house to chat with friends back in Russia on the computer or listen to Russian music.
In many respects, they're polar opposites.
But the way they go about their business is indistinguishable to those paying close attention.
"Geno is just (as driven) as Sid," Pens defenseman Brooks Orpik said. "(Malkin) just goes about it a lot quieter."
The 14 points registered by both this postseason and the ability of each to dominate playoff games suggests Crosby and Malkin are No. 1 and No. 1A among the Penguins.
There's no need to differentiate because the designations fluctuate.
"It doesn't matter," Gonchar said. "One game one guy is playing better, and the next game it's another guy. The good thing about two guys is you have two of them.
"If you look at Mario (Lemieux), when they were winning he had (Jaromir) Jagr. If you look at (Steve) Yzerman, he had (Sergei) Fedorov. If you look at (Joe) Sakic, he has (Peter) Forsberg. Even Edmonton, you look at (Wayne) Gretzky, there was (Mark) Messier.
"If you want to win you have to have two guys. We're lucky to have them."
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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