Eye on Malkin

Monday, 07 January 2013 17:40

Written by Dave Molinari

The Penguins dodged the worst-case scenario -- a serious injury -- that came with having Evgeni Malkin play in the Kontinental Hockey League during the lockout that has shut down the NHL since mid-September.

Malkin leaves Metallurg Magnitogorsk to return to North America as the league's No. 2 scorer, and has piled up points with stunning regularity in recent weeks.

None of which has escaped the attention of Penguins coach Dan Bylsma.

"Evgeni Malkin has played a lot of games, and he's had a great last month and a half," Bylsma said today. "He's been doing unbelievable.

"I think that's a benefit for him, over a player who didn't do anything (during the lockout). He's clearly going to be in better game shape."