Malkin explodes as Pens take 2-0 lead

By Ivan D. | Published: May 22, 2009

Evgeni Malkin was due for a game like this. Sidney Crosby had been scoring most of the goals for the Penguins, and Malkin was behind him in the NHL playoff scoring race by just a few points.

Not anymore. Malkin scored his first career playoff hat trick and added an assist as the Pens overcame some spotty defense and the furious attack of the Carolina Hurricanes to win Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals in thrilling fashion by a score of 7-4. The Penguins now lead the Canes 2-0 in the series.

Chad LaRose got involved with Malkin midway through the second period and both players went off for roughing. You could say that LaRose woke up a sleeping giant, even though Malkin already had a goal and an assist at that point. When he exited the penalty box, Malkin was on fire, doing what he does best – stealing and protecting the puck and finding open teammates.

The Penguins did not score on that shift, but Malkin kept going. With the score tied at four in the third period, he would not be denied, as he scored on a rebound of a shot by Chris Kunitz to give the Penguins their fourth lead of the game.

And only four minutes later, Malkin made sure that unlike the previous three times, they would not relinquish that lead. He scored his third goal of the game on an amazing play, roofing a backhander with his back against the goal as he came out from behind the net.

It was a stunning highlight-reel goal and a moment only superstars can provide. It was also a display of pure skill and determination, and it was too much for the Hurricanes, who must now find a way to slow down Malkin and company in Game 3 on Saturday night if they’re going to make this a series.

The Penguins outshot Carolina 42-28 and got scoring from both of their superstars, as Crosby got the Pens off to a good start with his 13th goal less than two minutes after the drop of the puck, tying the NHL record with his sixth first goal of the playoffs.

It was a wild first period, and the resilient Hurricanes would tie the game just over a minute later, as LaRose found a loose puck after a scrum in front of the net for his second of the series.

Then Malkin got his first of the game, swatting a loose puck into the net right as he came off the bench to replace Jordan Staal. The goal was a result of some great work by the Penguins’ third line.

Once again, the Canes stunned the crowd at the Igloo, and just as public address announcer John Barbaro was almost done announcing Malkin’s goal, the Canes crashed the net and Jussi Jokinen tied the game at two.

Only four minutes later, Kris Letang made a poor clearing attempt, and defenseman Dennis Seidenberg made it 3-2 for Carolina with a point shot, their first lead of the series.

Then Max Talbot, known as a role player who steps up when his team needs it, scored a key goal on a slap shot off the rush three minutes into the second period to even up the score.

Things settled down for a while, and then with only eight seconds left in the middle frame, Chris Kunitz gave the Penguins the lead again as he snapped a 19-game goal drought with his first of the playoffs.

The Canes would once again tie it, as fourth line winger Patrick Eaves notched his first of the playoffs at the beginning of the third period.

But then Malkin took over the game, scoring his second and third goals to give Pittsburgh its first multi-goal lead of the game, and Tyler Kennedy added an empty net goal to seal it.

Three stars

3rd star: Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist and now has 13 goals and 11 assists in 15 playoff games, trailing Malkin by one point.
2nd star: Chris Kunitz finally got off the schnide with his first goal of the playoffs, snapping a 19-game goalless streak. He also had 2 assists.
1st star: Evgeni Malkin. Well, what else can we say that we haven’t already? Yes, he had his first ever playoff HT and his first ever four-point playoff game, but let this be a message to the NHL. The way Crosby has played in these playoffs, it’s tough to say he’s not the best player in the game… But Malkin is making it very close.

Slap shots

Canes RW Ryan Bayda was assessed a 10-minute match penalty for deliberately trying to injure Kris Letang with a vicious cross check to the face at the end of the game. The incident will be reviewed by the league.
That cross check led to a couple of fights. Letang fought Bayda and Miro Satan fought Patrick Eaves. According to hockeyfights.com, it was only Satan’s second fight. Apparently he also fought current teammate Petr Sykora last year while with the Islanders.
The Penguins were 0 for 4 on the power play. They had scored at least one power play goal in the last 7 games (10 total) and failed to break a team record by scoring a power play goal in 8 straight playoff games.
The Pens are now 4-0 in the playoffs when both Malkin and Crosby score a goal.

Random thought

The Pens and the Detroit Red Wings are up 2-0 in their series, and they seem destined to battle in a Stanley Cup Finals rematch for the ages. Both of these teams are on fire. And even though the Canes and Chicago Blackhawks are both very good teams, it’s hard to imagine either of them coming back.

I can definitely see Chicago making it a series, but unless the Hurricanes can win the next couple games, it seems like the ‘Guins will be the East Champs once more. Carolina’s defense just can’t handle Malkin and Crosby, Jordan Staal’s line continues to play great hockey, and Cam Ward has run out of steam.