Evgeni Malkin

So game 3 is over and the Pens lead the series 3-0. Now onto the next review in the series, that of Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin.

After a great first season in which he won the Calder Trophy, even though he seemed to run out of gas towards the end of the season. This season he has come on leaps and bounds since Sidney Crosby was injured with a high ankle sprain. He managed to take the team through this by tearing up the points table and his goals tally second to only Ovechkin in the points race.

After a strong start to this playoff campaign in which he has 18 points thus far and was looking very formidable until game 2 vs the Flyers where he seemed to have a quiet game recording 0 points. The same can be said for game 3 in which he got one assist on the Malone goal. In the game Malkin seemed a little more active than game 2. The point that lies is he wasn't really as productive as he can be, what is this down to? It could be a many factors, maybe his tank is all out, or the Flyers have managed to control him and know what to do to him. I think it is a combination of both mainly the latter. Sid is once again looking like his old self as i mentioned in a previous blog, the Malkin threat has been subdued for the time being. The problem the Flyers now have is they will have to be careful as Malkin being such a skilled player who can make something out of nothing, and that fact still remains however bad he plays he can do one thing to change a game. Although i thought his play in game 3 was better than 2 it still wasn't much to write about and i think the kid needs a rest so a sweep of the Flyers may be a good thing. Also he is still not use to such a long season especially when he has carried them most of the way, it can strain you mentally.

I see another quiet game for Gino but expect him to come out all guns blazing in the Stanley cup finals. "Form is temporary, class is permanent" that is the fact we all have to remember.

Thanks for reading please leave any comments.

The next blog will be on Sergei Gonchar. If anyone wishes for me to do someone else please email me with suggestions at Britishpensfan@pensunderground.com Maybe the next one can be a readers choice.