Taking Malkin to Task

SI.com's Michael Farber suggests that you might see Evgeni Malkin on a milk carton soon. Some selected quotes from his dressing-down of the probable Rookie of the Year:

"Sure, like Sasquatch, there have been some Malkin sightings -- he set-up Crosby on Pittsburgh's final goal, a nifty give-and-go with a little more than five minutes remaining -- but they generally have come when he's been in the penalty box."

"Malkin was oatmeal soft on the first Senators goal when Peter Schaefer stripped him of the puck with a check that wouldn't have broken glass, leading seconds later to a rebound go-ahead goal for Mike Comrie."

Malkin has 0 goals, 4 assists, and 8 penalty minutes in the first three playoff games. No, he hasn't been Crosby, scoring a goal in each game, but he has made some minor contributions. Given his stature in the game at such a young age, Malkin has high expectations on his shoulders. With everything he's gone through, I could have bought excuses that Malkin would have had a tougher year than he did. All things considered, 33 goals, 52 assists, and 85 points in 78 games was pretty remarkable, especially in light of the injuries he suffered to start the year. He's proven that he's a mentally strong young man.

That being said, Malkin is counted on to contribute much more offense to the team than what he's contributed thus far. The Penguins wouldn't be in the position where they are without Malkin. However, if he doesn't step up his production, the Pens simply won't last too long in this postseason appearance.

You can't suggest cutting his time; Malkin needs to play through this. It's a classic case of "dance with the one that brought you". The Penguins need Evgeni to find his dancing shoes, and soon.