Evgeni Malkin makes believers by winning Smythe

By Kevin McGran
TORONTO STAR SPORTS REPORTER
http://www.thestar.com/sports
June 13, 2009

DETROIT–Evgeni Malkin answered his critics.

The answers came with thundering hits, big goals and fancy passes. For his imposing presence in the playoffs, Malkin skated away with the Conn Smythe Trophy last night as the most valuable player in the playoffs.

DETROIT - JUNE 12: Evgeni Malkin(notes) #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 2-1 to win Game Seven and the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena on June 12, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Malkin, criticized last year for his disappearing act in big games, answered the bell this season and led all scorers in the playoffs with 36 points. He led all scorers in the regular season, too.

Only Wayne Gretzky scored more points in a playoff, tallying 40 points in 1993.

"He provided a big-time answer," said Penguins GM Ray Shero. "I'm thrilled for Geno."

"Geno's a different guy," said teammate Hal Gill. "He plays with that edge. He turns it on and is tough to stop. He's pretty loosey-goosey and when he's out on the ice, he's having a good time.

"He lets his skill generate his emotion. That makes it fun to watch."

Malkin is the first Russian to win the award, which has only gone to a player born outside North America three times. Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg (2008) and Nicklas Lidstrom (2002) are both Swedes.

Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin(notes) is presented the Conn Smythe trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman after the Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 to win Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals in Detroit, Friday, June 12, 2009. (AP)

Many believed Sidney Crosby deserved to win, but teammates weren't about to quibble.

"You could have picked co-winners, but I guess you had to pick one," said Shero.

Certainly the Penguins would not have beaten the Capitals without the performance that Crosby put on in Washington.

And Crosby drew the much harder assignment in the final, playing mostly against Zetterberg, one of the game's best two-way forwards.

But Malkin certainly took full advantage, a reason why the Penguins were able to rally from a two-game deficit. The 22-year-old – chosen second behind Alex Ovechkin in the 2004 draft – had 24 points in his last 14 games and led the Pens with eight points against the Wings.