CRANBERRY TWP, Pa. — Evgeni Malkin isn’t thrilled with how November has played out for him on the ice, but a visit from his wife, Anna, and son, Nikita, lifted his spirits last week.
“Not here for long, but I’m in better mood when they here,” Malkin said. “Nikita has school, (soccer) tournaments, so they can’t stay long. I wish longer.”
Malkin’s family spends much of the regular season in South Florida, where he has a home and another one for his parents, who usually make an annual trip to North America during the last month of the regular season. His parents didn’t make that trip last season because the Penguins missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in Malkin’s career.
Some good vibes in recent days were therapeutic for Malkin, who said he hasn’t slept well some nights during a stretch where he has scored only two goals and five points in 10 games. Overall, Malkin has scored nine goals and 18 points, but he has played in every game (as he did last season).
Malkin spoke to The Athletic on a myriad of topics Monday, including his play and the Penguins’ push for the playoffs.
(Note: Conversation has been edited for clarity and length.)
How have you felt about your season so far?
Ha! It’s 20 games.
It’s good start. First, like, 12-14 games is…
