TORONTO — Evgeni Malkin entered his 19th NHL season within reach of a few major milestones.
He crossed another one off the list Saturday night in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With two assists, Malkin hit 1,300 career points, joining teammate Sidney Crosby and fellow Russian Alex Ovechkin as the only active players in that group.
Malkin’s milestone point came late in the third period. He carried the puck into the offensive zone and passed to Rickard Rakell, who scored a goal. Malkin assisted on Kris Letang’s power-play goal in the first period.
Quite a shot by Rakell, and quite a milestone for Evgeni Malkin 🎉 pic.twitter.com/MneS3hQ6dR
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 13, 2024
It marked the second consecutive game in which Malkin reached a career achievement. He recorded his 800th assist on Thursday night in the Penguins’ victory over the Red Wings in Detroit. Only 34 players have assisted on that many goals.
Malkin is one of only 37 players to score at least 1,300 points.
He and Ovechkin are the only two Russian-born players to score 500 goals in the NHL. The first and second overall picks in the 2004 NHL Draft, the friendly rivals have reset the records for Russian players in the NHL since joining the league. No Russians have scored more goals or points than Ovechkin and Malkin, who also are the only Russians to win each of the Hart (MVP), Art Ross (scoring leader), Calder (top rookie), Conn Smythe (postseason MVP) trophies along with the Stanley Cup.
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 Crosby and Ovechkin as the only active members of that group, too.
Perennially in the shadow of Crosby and Ovechkin, Malkin is arguably one of the most overlooked stars in NHL history — as was evident by his infamous omission from the NHL 100 list coinciding with the league’s Centennial anniversary last decade.
Malkin, 38, has two seasons remaining on his current contract with the Penguins. 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 in that story he could not envision himself 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.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
