Evgeni Malkin was selected as the Penguins’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is the award given to a National Hockey Player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Malkin being nominated for the award just adds fuel to the fire that is waiting to erupt.
Before coming into the 2019-2020 season, Evgeni Malkin was hard at work changing up his off season workouts to make sure he was in top shape for another Stanley Cup run. Before Covid-19 swept the nation, Geno was single handedly leading the Penguins in points amidst a season of constant injuries, and new faces in the lineup each and every game. In the 55 games he’s played this season, he tallied 74 points (25 goals and 49 assists), proving to Penguins fans that the Geno we know and love is BACK!
Malkin has been praised by the Penguins coaching staff for being dedicated to the game this year, which is something new for the Russian center. In past years, Geno has been called lazy with the puck, and has been known for taking some stupid penalties, which have cost the Penguins some wins.
However, this year is different.
Coach Mike Sullivan has been quoted saying, he’s really impressed with how Malkin has been committed to playing both sides of the puck.
“He’s really working on his game without the puck and his team game. That’s a really important aspect of helping us win.”
Evgeni Malkin is determined to get his fourth Stanley Cup. Don’t believe me? Just see for yourself.
I have watched Malkin play his entire career in Pittsburgh, and this 2019-2020 Geno is scary. Not in a bad way for us Pens fans, but for all of the other teams in the NHL Playoffs. Yesterday Malkin posted this picture on his social media pages, and you can see he is clearly not messing around.
The NHL Playoffs should be returning in the next month or so, and with a guy like Malkin on your team you have a good chance of winning it all. Especially, when he’s focused on being the best there is. The only thing opponents have going for them is Geno’s parents won’t be in attendance since no fans are allowed to be at the games, thanks Covid..
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