The first player you think of when it comes to the Pittsburgh Penguins is Sidney Crosby.
It makes sense. A healthy Crosby is the face of the NHL. He may be hated in Philadelphia and New York City, but he is a truly magical player who is gifted in many ways.
When it comes to consistency and all-around play, though, the Penguins look to the other Hart Trophy winner on their roster. They look to Evgeni Malkin.
Geno may not be quite as charismatic or dramatic as the healthy version of Crosby. However, when it comes to playing the game in all three zones, Malkin can do even more for his team than Crosby can.
While Crosby is scoring at a great rate in the postseason—12 points in eight games—he is not 100 percent healthy and comfortable.
Remember, Crosby suffered a broken jaw and lost several teeth when a deflected slap shot hit him in the face in late March. His mouth is still a mess, according to the colorful description of the Toronto Star's Rosie DiManno.
Crosby missed the final 12 games of the regular season and the Penguins' first playoff game.
Since returning ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Silverman
Why Evgeni Malkin Is the Engine Driving the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Playoff Run
May 21st, 2013 by Steve Silverman Leave a reply »
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