10/18/06 - Malkin's Day

I'm not declaring he is the next Mario Lemieux. After all, Malkin didn't score on his first NHL shift. It took him until 18:38 of the second period, at which point he had logged 9:58 of ice time during 12 shifts. Not a bad goalie to score your first goal on either. But more impressive than his jab at a frozen Brodeur was his play in the first period, particularly when he dished a pass to the point, curled to the net, spun around a defender and tipped the shot from the point toward the net. I actually thought it got net, but on second look it definately hit the post. It would have been a more memorable inagural goal, but nonetheless, the next great player has his first goal, the only Penguins' goal, in just under two periods of play.



In this day and age of $6000 Ovechkin and $5000 Crosby rookie cards actually selling, I don't see myself landing a Malkin anytime soon. At least not one of much appeal.

Other notes: Havlat continues torrid pace with seventh goal already tonight. Mets still alive, ahead 1-0. Prediction for end of Pens/Devils game: tied in the shootout with Malkin left to go, he makes Brodeur look foolish and the fans go wild.