EUGENE MALKIN. NIKALE PHOTOS
The Hurricanes dropped a one-goal decision in Game 1 and believed they could win Game 2 -- something they've done in each of their last five series -- to take the series back to Carolina all even.
It didn't happen - largely because of Eugene Malkin.
Early in the second period of Thursday night's game at Mellon Arena, Carolina's Scott Walker felled Malkin with a clean -- but dangerous -- hip check. At the time, the game was tied 3-3, but Carolina seemed to have a good dose of momentum after erasing two one-goal leads.
But suddenly Malkin was angry at the Walker hit, as well as some intimidation tactics by other Hurricanes, particularly Chad LaRose. So Malkin did what he does best -- he took over the game with his all-world talent, scoring the final two goals of his first hat trick in the third period to lead Pittsburgh to a 7-4 victory and 2-0 series lead.
Nobody has ever denied Malkin his talent. However, there have been questions about his willingness to play through the hard areas of the ice -- especially when he struggled offensively in the Stanley Cup Final last year.
But on this night, nobody was questioning Malkin's will.
"He wanted to be out there," forward Max Talbot said. "Even when the game was chippy, he wanted to be a part of that."
"That's the way you want to react," Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said of Malkin's offensive outburst, which also included an assist on Talbot's game-tying goal in the second period. "If anything, you want to use it as motivation to play. There are times when it might frustrate you, but you can't let it show -- especially in the playoffs. So that's the best way to do it, and he proved that tonight."
Malkin, who already had a goal and an assist before the Walker hit, finished with four points in the contest and now has a playoff-high 25 points -- including 13 in the last five games.
Afterward, Malkin tried to downplay his contribution, although he had to admit that he found it "awesome" when the sold-out Mellon Arena crowd littered the ice with hats after his third - and most spectacular goal -- made it 6-4 with 7:35 left in the game.
"It's just one game," Malkin said. "I try to play every game and smart.".
MY "LAST NIGHT BEST PLAYER" AWARD COMES TO EUGENE MALKIN
It didn't happen - largely because of Eugene Malkin.
Early in the second period of Thursday night's game at Mellon Arena, Carolina's Scott Walker felled Malkin with a clean -- but dangerous -- hip check. At the time, the game was tied 3-3, but Carolina seemed to have a good dose of momentum after erasing two one-goal leads.
But suddenly Malkin was angry at the Walker hit, as well as some intimidation tactics by other Hurricanes, particularly Chad LaRose. So Malkin did what he does best -- he took over the game with his all-world talent, scoring the final two goals of his first hat trick in the third period to lead Pittsburgh to a 7-4 victory and 2-0 series lead.
Nobody has ever denied Malkin his talent. However, there have been questions about his willingness to play through the hard areas of the ice -- especially when he struggled offensively in the Stanley Cup Final last year.
But on this night, nobody was questioning Malkin's will.
"He wanted to be out there," forward Max Talbot said. "Even when the game was chippy, he wanted to be a part of that."
"That's the way you want to react," Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said of Malkin's offensive outburst, which also included an assist on Talbot's game-tying goal in the second period. "If anything, you want to use it as motivation to play. There are times when it might frustrate you, but you can't let it show -- especially in the playoffs. So that's the best way to do it, and he proved that tonight."
Malkin, who already had a goal and an assist before the Walker hit, finished with four points in the contest and now has a playoff-high 25 points -- including 13 in the last five games.
Afterward, Malkin tried to downplay his contribution, although he had to admit that he found it "awesome" when the sold-out Mellon Arena crowd littered the ice with hats after his third - and most spectacular goal -- made it 6-4 with 7:35 left in the game.
"It's just one game," Malkin said. "I try to play every game and smart.".
MY "LAST NIGHT BEST PLAYER" AWARD COMES TO EUGENE MALKIN
STAAL vs. STAAL. Episode 2. 2-0 to Jordan.
My Photos From This Game Are HERE:
MY HOCKEY PHOTO ALBUMS
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