Evgeni Malkin has a great day with a hat-trick in defeating Red Wings and gets high praise from teammates and coaching staff – CBS Pittsburgh

By: Mike Darnay/KDKA-TV

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It would have been a reasonable expectation to think that Evgeni Malkin would have had a slow start to the season following knee surgery in the offseason, but the results for the Penguins center have been far from slow.

Malkin has 16 goals in just 30 games so far this season after adding 3 goals to that tally with a hat-trick against the Red Wings last night.

From teammates to coaches, Malkin garnered praise after beating Detroit 11-2, the first time the Penguins had scored 11 goals in a game since 1993.

“He’s so much fun to watch – just incredible skill. Every time he’s got the puck he’s playing at a high level…Even though he’s a little knocked out, he still got a hat trick,” said Danton Heinen.

Mike Sullivan on Evgeni Malkin:

“Geno is, in my opinion, one of the greatest players of all time. Not just of his generation. He’s one of the greatest players of all time.”

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 28, 2022

“In my opinion, Geno is one of the greatest players of all time. Not just his generation. He’s one of the greatest players of all time,” said Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.

The Pens’ 11-2 win came two days after they lost a Metropolitan Division tilt away to the New York Rangers 5-1.

The team will look to continue their winning streak when they host Rangers tomorrow night in a bid to avenge Friday night’s loss. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m