CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Evgeni Malkin could only apologize.
The 38-year-old center has experienced a bit of everything in 19 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Three Stanley Cup championships. A fair share of disappointments too.
Monday was new. In a 7-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, the Penguins allowed six first-period goals at home for the first time since joining the NHL in 1967.
“Last night, I want to say sorry to the fans,” Malkin said Tuesday. “They [watched] a really bad game. I hope we, together, find a good way, win tomorrow and start building the team better.”
The remarks followed a practice lasting about 30 minutes. Afterward, coach Mike Sullivan gathered the players at center ice.
Sullivan chose not to share the message, other than it revolved around the loss Monday.
Malkin said he couldn’t speak for Sullivan but did provide context.
“He said, 'Like, it's a tough night for everybody. Not just players or coaches, but the whole city, probably,’” Malkin said.
There were no line rushes. Special teams were a focus.
Changes aren’t likely to be shown until warmups Wednesday, ahead of their next game, against the Detroit Red Wings at PPG Paints Arena (7:30 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, MAX, TNT).