CRANBERRY TWP, Pa. — Evgeni Malkin isn’t thrilled with how November has played out for him on the ice, but a visit from his wife, Anna, and son, Nikita, lifted his spirits last week.
“Not here for long, but I’m in better mood when they here,” Malkin said. “Nikita has school, (soccer) tournaments, so they can’t stay long. I wish longer.”
Advertisement
Malkin’s family spends much of the regular season in South Florida, where he has a home and another one for his parents, who usually make an annual trip to North America during the last month of the regular season. His parents didn’t make that trip last season because the Penguins missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in Malkin’s career.
Some good vibes in recent days were therapeutic for Malkin, who said he hasn’t slept well some nights during a stretch where he has scored only two goals and five points in 10 games. Overall, Malkin has scored nine goals and 18 points, but he has played in every game (as he did last season).
Malkin spoke to The Athletic on a myriad of topics Monday, including his play and the Penguins’ push for the playoffs.
(Note: Conversation has been edited for clarity and length.)
How have you felt about your season so far?
Ha! It’s 20 games.
It’s good start. First, like, 12-14 games is good. But I feel last five, six games I’m not happy with what I’ve done, with what my line (has) done.
What specifically has you unhappy?
I mean, we not score — like, zero goals probably. And power play does not work, which frustrates me. But I keep going to work, do my best, stay positive.
We stay together as team. It’s long season. We have, like, 60 more games to do. But I need to forget last five games and move forward.
Are you better at handling the emotional part of when you aren’t happy with your play now than in previous seasons?
Probably. I have more confidence, more experience. I need … like, I talk to coach (Mike Sullivan) last week, and he said some great things for me.
I know I have, like, maybe two, three more years to play. I want to just enjoy to play. Some games is bad. I know that. It’s not like every game can be good. Every player — like, even (Connor) McDavid — have a couple bad games.
Advertisement
It’s just my emotion. I need to stay the right way. I think it’s helped me, you know, when some days you think too much and I can’t sleep.
But I work on my recovery more. I try to get good sleep and eat well so I can stay emotionally better.
You’ve had a run of good health the past couple of years. And you look stronger this season. Did you train differently last summer?
No. It was same: Back to Moscow, same coach, and only gym.
Last two years, it’s a little bit different; I not skate in Moscow, not even take gear. I stay in gym, do off-ice (workouts), and come back (to Pittsburgh) early and start skating. Maybe a week or two early and start skate with guys because in Moscow it’s a little bit tough. You can’t skate too much with guys. I like skate with guys — more drills, more competition. Sometimes, it’s better to stay off-ice in Moscow, you miss hockey a little bit more.
How do you feel about where there Penguins are after 20 games?
I think we have better. We need to make playoffs. Lot of games on road now, so guys stay together and we’ll be OK. East is so good. It’s hard.
We learn last season: Stay together, play smart like Sully says. We have good players. Good goalies. Power play, like, we need fix. Soon. But I’m confident. I like our team a lot.
I can do more, you know? We need better from me.
(Photo: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
