Malkin feels he can be even better for Penguins after All-Star break

PITTSBURGH -- Evgeni Malkin's confidence is growing in his game and his surgically repaired right knee, which is good news for the Pittsburgh Penguins and bad news for the rest of the NHL.

Malkin has been playing at a high level since making his season debut Jan. 11, scoring 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 12 games. The center scored a power-play goal in the Penguins' 4-3 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday to extend his point streak to nine games (three goals, seven assists).
But Malkin believes he can take it up another notch when the Penguins resume play at the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, following the break for the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas.
"I know I can play better, and I will," Malkin said. "We have the break right now. It helps, I think. A little bit of rest before the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs is good."
The Penguins (27-11-8) have lost four in a row (0-1-3) but have climbed within two points of the Carolina Hurricanes for first in the Metropolitan Division after going 5-6-4 in their first 15 games. Having Malkin back at full strength to provide a potent 1-2 punch with Sidney Crosby at center should set Pittsburgh up well for its final 36 regular-season games heading toward the postseason.
"Just to have a star player like that back in your lineup, I think it helps depth-wise," Penguins forward Jake Guentzel said. "He's one of the generational talents, so for us to see him back in the lineup and see what he does on the ice, he makes us a better team. He's scoring a lot of goals and getting a lot of points out there for us, so I think it's been nice to have him back."
A three-time Stanley Cup champion (2009, 2016, 2017), Malkin is third in Penguins history in points (1,117) and assists (688), fourth in goals (429), and second in games (952). But the 35-year-old was hampered by his knee last season after injuring it against the Bruins on March 16 and averaged an NHL career-low 0.85 points per game, scoring 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) in 33 games.
Malkin had a long recovery from surgery June 4 and thought he'd need some time to shake off the rust once he returned. But he scored three points (two goals, one assist) in a 4-1 victory against the Anaheim Ducks in his first game back and has felt his timing return with each game.

"It's not easy, for sure," Malkin said. "I feel a little bit better. I'm trying to play simple right now, but I think my confidence is back at a little bit high level right now. After the break, I hope I start playing more and more minutes and coach trusts me more. I think my game is back."
That's at least partially because Malkin no longer is worried about his knee. The apprehension he felt initially when he returned has faded with regular playing time the past three weeks.
"I feel my knee is normal right now," Malkin said. "I'm not scared anymore. I have a couple of battles in the corner, but all good and my confidence will be back for sure after the break."
Malkin looked confident Tuesday, scoring a power-play goal from the right circle that tied the game 1-1 at 6:26 of the first period.
He didn't get a point on his most impressive play of the game, though.
With the Penguins again on the power play, Malkin absorbed a hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson to keep the puck in the offensive zone at the right point, and while falling passed to Guentzel in the right circle. Guentzel passed across to Crosby, who fed Bryan Rust in front for a goal that gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead at 11:26 of the first.
"Just a tremendous play," Guentzel said. "If that gets by it's a 2-on-1 for them, so just a great play by 'Geno' to keep that puck in. He might not get an assist on it, but that's the reason for the goal, so we give him a lot of credit for that."
With Malkin back, the Penguins power play has been firing on all cylinders. Pittsburgh went 3-for-5 with the man-advantage Tuesday and is 9-for-17 (52.9 percent) the past five games.
"They're playing incredible," Pittsburgh defenseman John Marino said. "Obviously with everyone healthy and the chemistry that those guys have over the years that they've played together, it's special to watch and you just try to take it in and learn from that."
Malkin's return also has been important for Pittsburgh's off-ice chemistry. An alternate captain, Malkin complements Crosby, the Penguins captain, well with his leadership and by helping to keep the mood loose in the locker room.
"Obviously on the ice kind of speaks for itself," Marino said. "When he's on that power play too, it makes a big difference. And then just off the ice he's a great guy to have around, keeps the room the light. He's a great personality, so it's awesome to have him around."