At the ripe age of 38, Evgeni Malkin is on the brink of a major milestone in his illustrious career. With just two goals standing between him and the coveted 500-goal mark, and a mere four points separating him from the impressive 1,300-point milestone, the seasoned forward is eager to make his mark as the Pittsburgh Penguins gear up for their season opener against the New York Rangers.
The scene is set in Cranberry, Pa., as Malkin addresses the media from a podium on February 23, 2022. Reflecting on his teammate Sidney Crosby’s recent accomplishment of scoring his 500th goal, with Malkin providing the crucial assist, he expresses his admiration for Crosby’s achievement. “He deserves everything,” Malkin declares. “Every goal he scores, I’m glad to give him assists. Great memory for me, for sure. I hope someday, he can give me an assist on my 500th goal.”
Now, it’s Malkin’s time in the spotlight. As he embarks on his 19th NHL season, the seasoned veteran is determined not to let the moment slip by. “First of all, score two goals,” Malkin proclaims on September 19, a day after the start of Pittsburgh’s training camp. “Next two games. Not preseason, regular season. My goal all the time [is], like, four points every game. Team wins every game.”
The anticipation is palpable as Malkin’s quest for 500 goals and 1,300 points unfolds before our eyes. With the season opener against the Rangers looming large, all eyes will be on the Russian forward as he looks to etch his name in the annals of NHL history. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling chapter in Malkin’s storied career.
