After letting the game against the Ducks slip away earlier in the week, the Pittsburgh Penguins responded with back-to-back victories. They closed out their California road trip with a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Too early to retire
Evgeni Malkin registered another two points last night against the Sharks. This brings his team leading total to nine points through six games. Malkin himself has not come out and said he wants to retire, nor should he given the start he’s had to the season.
He won’t keep this pace up the entire year, but he is clearly still a pretty good NHL player who is on track to earn another contract.
His zone entry led to Anthony Mantha and Justin Brazeau connecting on a nice passing play
Malkin has points in five of six games and is 6th overall in the NHL in points. You love to see it.
Captain gets in on the action
Sidney Crosby also finished the game with two points. He scored the first goal for the Penguins which was ultimately the game winning goal.
Sid finished up the California trip with five points in the three games and now has seven points in six games this year.
With the Penguins close to Mike Lange’s native Sacremento Phil Bourque paid homage to the late Penguins broadcasting legend on Sid’s goal
The kids are good
Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke continue to perform at an NHL level. Although, that might be underselling it. Kindle led all Penguins forwards with a 81.82 xGF% and Brunicke led all Penguins defensemen with a 74.02 xGF%. Among Penguins regulars they also lead the team in xGF% for the year as well. Kindel at 62.91 and Brunicke at 57.13.
They are not just fitting in, they are finding playing at a high level. Kindel is doing this on his own line. He isn’t being deployed with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. It is looking more and more likely he is here to stay because what on earth could he possibly gain from playing against 16 year olds.
Pittsburgh returns home to take on the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday
