Evgeni Malkin started his season of milestones in Detroit on Thursday night.
He recorded his 800th assist for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesar’s Arena. Malkin assisted on Erik Karlsson’s third-period goal on a Penguins’ power play to notch Malkin’s second point of the night, pulling him within two of 1,300.
Malkin is one of only 34 players in NHL history with at least 800 assists and is only the third active player to hit that mark.
800 CAREER ASSISTS FOR @emalkin71geno 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BwQaxYKyhg
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 11, 2024
Malkin began this season two goals shy of 500 and four points from 1,300. Only 30 players have totaled at least 500 goals and 1,300 points in the NHL, and Malkin is seeking to join teammate Sidney Crosby and longtime rival Alex Ovechkin as the only active members of that group, too.
Malkin, 38, has two seasons remaining on his contract with Pittsburgh. He plans to play at least those seasons and recently told The Athletic he is open to a possible third season depending on his health and productivity.
Malkin also said he could not envision retiring without playing in another playoff series with the Penguins, who have missed the past two postseasons after qualifying in each of Malkin’s first 16 years.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
