Hard Lesson Learned: Resurgent Malkin ‘So Much Better Mood’

Sweat’s outstanding performance in training camp appeared to be a portent of things to come in 2023. Sweat’s explosiveness and agility off the line of scrimmage wowed Commanders head coach Ron Rivera.

In Week 7, Montez Sweat will face Daniel Jones of the Giants. Jones has a neck issue that will keep him out of Sunday’s SNF game against the Buffalo Bills. However, he is very likely to play against Washington. Let’s see if Montez Sweat can help the Commanders overcome Jones and gain ground in the NFC East.

Linemate Reilly Smith has two goals and might have three more. Malkin has six points, two goals, four assists, and 15 shots on goal. Further investigation reveals that he has 12 scoring chances at 5v5, four high-danger chances, and has drawn three penalties without taking one.

Malkin is tied for the NHL lead in scoring with Austin Matthews, Elias Pettersson, and teammate Jake Guentzel.

“I hope the season is over tomorrow and I win the Art Ross Trophy,” Malkin said after the Penguins defeated the Calgary Flames 5-2 at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday.

It’s been a long winter. When the NHL went on without the Penguins in the playoffs, the star players, including Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang, were forced to deal with a six-month offseason. Meanwhile, the Penguins organization made significant changes to the front office by appointing president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas, resulting in a roughly 50% roster turnover.

The early returns are positive, at least on a few issues, including Smith’s acquisition and Malkin’s rejuvenation. “I mean (I have) lots of motivation. I don’t want to step on the ice and do nothing, just skate around,” Malkin deadpanned. “It’s interesting when you win (you’re in) a good mood after. Look around. Everybody’s smiling right now. It’s so much better. Tomorrow, we practice. It’s (a) much better mood when you come to the rink.”

Through the ebbs and flows of a season, different lines will fill the net and fill the void for other lines that have gone cold. The Pittsburgh Penguins are set up a little bit differently. The bottom six won’t add a lot of offense. The scoreboard will most often depend on the power play and the top two lines with Crosby and Malkin.

Crosby’s line put a couple of pucks in the net Saturday, and Crosby has three goals this season, but they’re also a bit underwater, allowing more shot attempts and scoring chances than they’ve earned.

But Malkin has put on a show with some help from Reilly.

“I hope we keep going (the) same. He’s a great player, has a great shot, a great skill guy, and I just give him a pass, you know,” said Malkin. “The last couple of games we’ve played pretty well. I don’t want to talk too much about this, but just stay focused. Stay positive. Help each other.”

Malkin’s third period goal also tied Alexander Mogilny (473) with the third-most career goals among Russian-born players. Malkin is 10 behind Sergei Federov

Maybe I’ll try to catch Ovechkin.” Malkin cracked a joke.

When Malkin is on his toes, everything is fine. He won’t score 164 points, but he has five takeaways to four giveaways, a faceoff win rate of 61%, and a couple big smiles.

“Coach said right away, these two points (are the) same — like two points in March or February,” Malkin said. “We understand (that) we must play hard in every home game.” The third session was fantastic for everyone.”

Maybe the Penguins should have had a longer offseason earlier?