Malkin said that last part in jest, and it drew laughs from the assembled media, but it's not true. He would not stop. He still would try to one-up Crosby, and the Penguins would be better because of it.
"I know [Wayne] Gretzky said one day about [Mark] Messier, it's a small competition every day between him and Messier and it's good because they're better every day," Malkin said. "Like, who is better today? Who is better tomorrow?"
Malkin added that he knows he could have left Pittsburgh and Crosby to be a No. 1 on another team, to be the man, but he never wanted that. It's why he signed an eight-year, $76 million contract on June 13, 2013.
Crosby signed a 12-year, $104.4 million contract on June 28, 2012.
"I watch Sid every practice, he's such a professional guy, most professional I've ever seen," Malkin said. "I want to be [the] same. I want to be professional too, and I want to be better every day."
In 11 seasons together, Crosby and Malkin have combined for 671 goals and 1,757 points.
Crosby, who was in his second season when Malkin arrived in Pittsburgh, has 343 goals and 925 points in 701 games with Malkin as his teammate. Malkin has 328 goals and 832 points in 706 games.
The Crosby-Malkin Penguins have won the Stanley Cup twice and are going for No. 3. Malkin won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009, and Crosby won it last year.
Crosby and Malkin each has won the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy. Malkin won the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL in 2006-07. Crosby added the Maurice Richard Trophy this season by leading the League with 44 goals.
"When he's out there, when he's going, you want to follow that up," Crosby said. "I think it gives you confidence as a player when you see someone out there with that capability. I don't think you put as much pressure on yourself when you go out there knowing that, hey, this guy is capable of changing the game with one play. So you go out there with the thought of make sure you do your job. I think it just gives you confidence."