Hungry Malkin Focused on Winning

At the Penguins' first training camp of the season back in September, a rested and energized Evgeni Malkin vowed to return to his highest level of play.

He did just that, finishing with 74 points (25G-49A) in 55 games for a 1.35 points-per-game average that ranked fifth in the league. Malkin was especially dominant - "fire," if you will - in the weeks that Sidney Crosby was sidelined after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury.

And now, at the Penguins' second training camp of the season as the team prepares to open their best-of-five qualifying round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Montreal in Toronto, they are getting that same Malkin - fresh and more motivated than ever to lead his team to another Stanley Cup.

"I'm rested," said Malkin, who turns 34 on July 31. "I'm glad to be back on the ice. It's my job, it's what I do all my life. It's a new reality right now. It's not easy for everyone. We understand how important this year is for each player. We are trying to do everything to get back and play in playoffs. It doesn't matter if there are no fans, it's hard, but we still love the game.

"I'm focused right now on my game. I sleep well and work hard every day and am practicing as hard as I can. In my head and my heart, it's all about winning."

That's absolutely been evident ever since Malkin returned to Pittsburgh starting with Phase 2 - so much so that Penguins assistant coach Mark Recchi went out of his way to heap praise on the center for his dominance on the ice and leadership off the ice.

"Geno's been terrific through this whole thing, even in informal skates and through this training camp," Recchi said. "Geno has been amazing, how well he's really taken a leadership role in this. It's been really fun to watch."

That sentiment was echoed by Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.

"His work ethic is terrific," Sullivan said. "I think he's leading through his example. You guys can see it when you watch him practice every day. The level of intensity that he's playing the game with and practicing with right now, it's contagious throughout our team. I think it's just an indication of how excited he is to play.

"I think he likes the group that we have. I think he likes the opportunity that we have in front of us and he's going to do everything in his power to help the Penguins be successful. It's fun to watch him when he's in this type of a mindset and I think he's only going to get better here with every day that he plays and gets in more game condition."

While Malkin certainly doesn't look like he's missed a beat, he said it has been somewhat of a process when it comes to getting back in game shape.

"It's not easy, but every day is better," Malkin said. "We played a game today and I feel so much better. I think the team looks good. We tried to play a real game, couple hits, blocking shots, stuff like that. It's practice, it's not a real game, but we try to be close. But I'm glad with what I see."

Malkin said that applies to his line with Jason Zucker and Bryan Rust as well. They are currently a work in progress, but as Recchi put it, they have the ability to be something special.

"We have not played much together this year, but it's coming, I hope," Malkin said. "We try to talk a little bit and I think we'll be fine if we play right. If we play right, we will be dangerous, for sure."

Malkin did his best to stay in shape while spending the pause at his home in Miami with his wife Anna and 4-year-old son Nikita.

Malkin said his building has a full gym, and he would FaceTime from there with strength and conditioning coach Alex Trinca while doing the workout program created for him. Malkin would also run on the treadmill on his balcony, and sometimes he would go to the beach in the morning and work out there.

"I did pretty much everything that I did in the summertime, except we couldn't skate," Malkin said. "It was a little bit hard. But I'm trying to be in the best shape. Every day I did small things - a little bit of running, a little bit of workout in the gym. I bought rollerblades too, and two times a week I would skate around the island that my home is on."

Malkin also bought rollerblades for Nikita, who is proving to have a passion for the game of hockey just like his dad.

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"Two days ago, he skated with his full gear for the first time," said Nikita's proud father. "I'm so glad, I see him in full gear for the first time with his Penguins jersey with his name on the back. I'm so glad he was in full gear with me and we got to play a little bit of a game together."

Anna and Nikita are currently back in Pittsburgh with Malkin, who's chomping at the bit to get back into real game action.

"I'm glad everyone is back and I'm glad hockey is coming soon," he said. "It's very important for fans who love hockey and very important for players, the whole organization, the NHL. I understand it's not easy. The first three games are going to be so hard. But I'm ready. I'm excited."