PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin celebrates his second-period goal against the New York Rangers at Mellon Arena in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal, May 4, 2008. The Penguins won, 3-2, in overtime.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
The buzz entering Game 5 of a competitive-again Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Penguins and New York Rangers suggested Sidney Crosby was likely to translate his frustration from Game 4 into a dominating performance.
In retrospect, it should have been about how disappointed Evgeni Malkin was in himself, and justifiably so, and about how determined the young Russian was to make amends.
The scoresheet decreed that the series-winning goal for the Penguins was scored by Marian Hossa at 7:10 of overtime, off assists from Crosby and Pascal Dupuis.
It was Hossa's second goal of the game and Crosby's second assist.
Still, the individual that delivered the Penguins to the NHL's Final Four more than any other was Malkin.
He had just one point Sunday afternoon and emerged even in plus/minus.
But those numbers don't begin to characterize the impact Malkin had on the Penguins, once and for all putting the Rangers away and avoiding what would have been a most uncomfortable Game 6 tonight at Madison Square Garden.
Malkin scored a ridiculous goal to put the Penguins ahead, 2-0, at 12:40 of the second period, regaining possession after being poke-checked by Rangers defenseman Paul Mara and then unleashing a backhand that goaltender Henrik Lundqvist still hasn't seen.
Malkin had nine other shots on goal, missed the net on four occasions and had one attempt blocked.
He was responsible enough defensively to hustle back and help thwart a potential two-on-one for the Rangers while the Penguins were skating with a man-advantage in overtime.
He played 24 minutes, 43 seconds, more than any forward on either side.
Penguins Evgeni Malkin and Ryan Malone celebrate Marian Hossa's second-period goal in front of New York Rangers goaltender Hendrik Lundqvist at Mellon Arena in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal, May 4, 2008. The Penguins won, 3-2, in overtime.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
Malkin won six of eight faceoffs, an aspect of his game which is sometimes as inept as Malkin was on Game 4's regretfully-passive penalty shot.
His failure to beat Lundqvist in that instance was understandable, as were the frustrations Malkin experienced while trying unsuccessfully throughout to put a dent in what became a 3-0 Lundqvist shutout that dragged the series back to Mellon Arena.
But Malkin's slew-foot of Mara in Game 4's closing moments was unacceptable, particularly for a player of Malkin's stature.
"I was pretty frustrated, upset," Malkin said through interpreter George Birman. "Absolutely, it was my fault."
Malkin was the best player on the ice in Game 5, a game in which the Penguins needed someone wearing black to be that.
He had some help, of course.
Crosby was persistent throughout and avoided succumbing to the frustrations he had experienced in Game 4.
Hossa was as timely as he was tenacious; his afternoon included a brilliant dive and sweep to keep the puck in the Rangers' end on the power play Hossa ultimately converted into the game's first goal.
And defenseman Hal Gill absolutely suffocated Rangers' captain Jaromir Jagr, whose last shot of the series turned out to be into an empty net in New York.
But Malkin tilted the ice.
He was as relentless as necessary from the first period until the last handshake.
Hossa had called Malkin the "best player in the world" following Game 3.
Malkin was that again yesterday.
"I learn every day something different," he said.
The buzz following Game 5 is that Malkin has learned to bounce back.
The Penguins are that much more dangerous as a result.
Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com or 412-320-7923.
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