It is done and over with. Things weren’t pleasant. It never felt like the Penguins were in control. They were consistently battling back and playing from behind. However, they navigated it and are now through to the other side. Evgeni Malkin’s suspension is over. Things technically could have gone better. They definitely could have been worse.
Needless and selfish
This situation was self-inflicted by Evgeni Malkin. Yes, Rasmus Dahlin’s kidney cross checks are super effective and annoying. He is clearly making a lot of enemies around the league with them recently. However, you can’t Paul Bunyan a guy’s neck because of it.
The Pittsburgh Penguins could not afford Malkin’s absence when combined with Sidney Crosby’s injury from the Olympics. The schedule is a complete grind right now and the Columbus Blue Jackets are picking up standings points seemingly every single night. They now sit only two points back.
I don’t think it is lost on Malkin that what he did was foolish and unacceptable. I fully expect him to come out of this suspension flying on the ice. It may manifest in him trying to do too much early on, but his intentions will be pure. He knows he owes his teammates, his coach, and yes even his general manager.
I expect him to play well. He needs to.
Benefits of Malkin’s return
During Malkin’s absence Egor Chinakhov continued to play quite well. His effort level was terrific and he was quite noticeable in a positive way each and every night. There was however something missing. Chinakhov had zero goals during his 5v5 play during Malkin’s five game suspension.
Malkin is still an elite playmaker and it is what has unlocked Chinakhov’s potential as an even-strength goal scorer. Prior to the suspension Chinakhov’s 2.21 goals per 60 at 5v5 led all Penguins this season. I don’t think it is a coincidence that it was a lot tougher for Chinakhov to get clean looks without Malkin. Even with Chinakhov playing well you could tell there was something missing. It was Malkin. The Russians have formed an incredible duo and I’m excited to see it back in action.
In Malkin’s (and Crosby’s) absence the first power play unit has been rough. It has looked disjointed and without purpose. The second unit has outplayed them the past five games. The 4v3 overtime power play against the Hurricanes was an abomination and cost them a standings point. I think Malkin returning will be a step in the right direction for the first unit regaining their footing. That isn’t to say Malkin can’t make costly turnovers himself when on the power play. Just that his risk reward balance is a lot more favorable than some of the other players who attempt to replace him. That 4v3 would have looked a lot different if Malkin were available for it.
Roster decisions need to be made
Malkin’s return also pushes people out of the lineup. Players like Ville Koivunen, Elmer Soderblom, and Avery Hayes aren’t guaranteed a roster spot and the roster spot scarcity should light a fire under their behinds.
Koivunen still hasn’t figured out the NHL speed. I missed the mark with him this year. I thought he would be way better than he has. The skill set is there, but he is never assertive like he is in the AHL. Everything is reactive and trying to not make a mistake. He needs to be a proactive player with the strengths he has. He hasn’t been.
Elmer Soderblom has some skill. He also hasn’t mastered how to use it. He is tantalizing in how he flashes his combination of skill and size. Unfortunately, it rarely leads to a positive tangible impact. I think this project is going to have a lot more frustrating moments in the games to come. Although, he may not be in line to get the reps because the Penguins can’t be giving away jerseys to players not making an impact, especially in a top nine role.
If the Penguins could ever get completely healthy I have to agree with Josh here. This would be quite the forward lineup.
Superstar steps up
With neither Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin available there was a huge void to be filled. Kris Letang is no longer capable of providing that caliber of play. Instead, it was another right-defender who took it upon himself to put the cape on. Erik Karlsson was tremendous the past five games.
Karlsson has been excellent all season, but he really understood that the team needed somebody to elevate their game and try to keep the season on the tracks. Karlsson has been dancing out there with the puck and doing everything and anything he can to create for his teammates. It was a big time performance for the future hall of famer.
I love watching him play and it is glaringly apparent when he isn’t on the ice. He does so much to make things easier for his teammates and he does it all with such style. I know Karlsson seemed like an obvious trade candidate entering the season, but I don’t know how the team could possibly replace him and what he does if they have any intentions of being a playoff team the next few years. He’s an enormous part of the team’s success.
Karlsson deserves his flowers. He has grown into his role with Pittsburgh and is now one of the leaders on this team. This five game stretch left no doubt about it.
