Andrey SenchenkoSport correspondentAll materialsEmail to the authorEvgeny Malkin can now be called perhaps the most peaceful and calm person in the National Hockey League. The star Russian (like all his other compatriots from the NHL) is no longer worried about questions and problems with participation in the Olympics, and the knee injury and the long and not very pleasant recovery that followed it are already behind. In addition, Pittsburgh has gained momentum, because Gino is allowed to adapt to a difficult season gradually and without additional pressure. “I feel great. The recovery process was long, this is the biggest pause without hockey in my life. I was very happy to return to the team «The more you play, the more comfortable you feel. We have to play more and my physique will get better. I'm not in perfect condition yet, in the process. We have more than 40 matches, it's a long championship. I hope we get in.» in the playoffs, and I will show my best side. We must continue in the same spirit, «the official NHL website quotes Malkin. With Gino's performance, everything is very good. In the last four games, the Russian scored four points, scoring two goals and making two assists. Today, in a match with the Senators from Ottawa, who spent another season solving many problems within the club, Evgeny improved his personal statistics. Already in the middle of the first period, the Russian forward celebrated his 428th goal in his NHL career. Evgeniy, after winning a throw-in in someone else's zone, cunningly broke away from guardianship and ran away to a penny. Malkin's jerk was seen in time by Kasperi Kapanen, who made a cool cutting pass. Gino had only to beat the goalkeeper, with which he successfully coped.
HE'S MALKIN IT COUNT! 👏 pic.twitter.com/sJUcB3s2Zh
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 21, 2022 A few minutes later, Pittsburgh's number 71 scored a double, but it was no longer possible to celebrate it. Ottawa head coach Dee Jay Smith requested a challenge, and the referees accepted it, canceling Malkin's second goal. The reason — Jake Gyuntsel was a little late with the introduction of the puck into the zone, and Chris Letang hurried with the entrance to it and got offside. It was from the transfer of the latter that Gino's failed goal followed. Letang extended his record-breaking streak to nine matches, assisting Sidney Crosby. Distinguished from the “Penguins” and Dominic Simon with Mike Matheson, who issued a double. After his second goal, the scoreboard indicated a clear victory for Pittsburgh. 5:1 at the end of two periods — usually the audience after this go about their business. However, Ottawa refused to give up without a fight and in the third period used almost all those moments that were not realized in the first 20 club scored only one puck with 22 shots on target. For some eight minutes, “Senators” managed to organize as many as three goals. They could have done more, but Alex Formenton did not convert the bullet. But he did not miss the chance to fight with Letang.
Alex Formenton gets into it with Letang. Love when he plays scrappy. pic.twitter.com/5eXYAC7O63
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) January 21, 2022 Speaking of fighting. There were plenty of them in today's match, and as the end of the meeting approached, more and more happened. Naturally, it was not without the participation of Brady Tkachuk, one of the league's main hooligans. Although he did not engage in hand-to-hand combat until the very end. John Marino forced him to agree to the fight when the outcome of the meeting was clear. He may regret his decision: Tkachuk dealt with the young American without any problems and crippled him quite well. However, now Marino is unlikely to worry about this, because his team won.
Brady Tkachuk murders John Marino after Marino gave him a few cross-checks. pic.twitter.com/eevBOgwrVb
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) January 21, 2022 But we will be happy for Evgeni Malkin. The Russian was recognized as the third star of the match and scored his fifth score in five matches this season.