Evgeni Malkin was scratched from the Penguins' game against the Blue Jackets tonight because of an upper-body injury, per the team, ending his streak of games played at 209.
And that was that.
Mike Sullivan was uncharacteristically terse when asked afterward for additional information, referringly only to the team's official announcement. He wouldn't even acknowledge knowing when Malkin was hurt, which would be significant in this case since he was a full participant in the morning skate today in Cranberry, with nothing appearing amiss.
• Sidney Crosby became the NHL's all-time leader in faceoff wins with his 15,183rd in the first period, surpassing Patrice Bergeron's 15,182. The NHL began tracking faceoffs in 1997.
• Sid had two assists, including this fortuitous fan on Michael Bunting's goal in the second:
Michael Bunting's eighth power-play goal this season sets a career-high and leads the NHL since November 15. pic.twitter.com/RVLrj6puwo
That was his team-leading eighth power-play goal, all coming since mid-November. In that span, only the Canadiens' Patrik Laine has as many, also with eight.
• Blake Lizotte was called for slashing late in the third period and, although his stick did make contact with some part of Zach Werenski and/or his equipment, it was without significant force or consequence ... unless one counts the resultant Columbus power-play goal that tied the score at 3-3 with 2:36 remaining. Sullivan would say of the call, unsolicited, that it was "a head scratcher." When I asked him to elaborate, he described it as "a stick-lift."
• Jesse Puljujarvi suited up for the first time since Dec. 7 and acquitted himself well, using his speed and size to push a consistent forecheck on a new line alongside two other big boys, Kevin Hayes and Drew O'Connor. Puljujarvi registered a shot and two attempts and, when he was on the ice, the Penguins had 19 shots attempts to the Blue Jackets' 13.
• Erik Karlsson was everywhere. In a good way. He's electric right now.
• The Blue Jackets ended the Penguins' 15-game winning streak against them in this building, dating to Dec. 21, 2015, and that didn't go unappreciated in the visiting locker room:
• Can't say I was expecting as many as 16,060 to show up for this one, never mind being as vocal as they were, but hey, that's an OK surprise. These weren't Columbus fans, either. Could hear a pin drop when the Blue Jackets scored.
• Practice Wednesday. Oilers Thursday. I'll be all football the rest of the week.
THE ASYLUM
Loose Pucks: All mum on Malkin
Evgeni Malkin was scratched from the Penguins' game against the Blue Jackets tonight because of an upper-body injury, per the team, ending his streak of games played at 209.
And that was that.
Mike Sullivan was uncharacteristically terse when asked afterward for additional information, referringly only to the team's official announcement. He wouldn't even acknowledge knowing when Malkin was hurt, which would be significant in this case since he was a full participant in the morning skate today in Cranberry, with nothing appearing amiss.
• Sidney Crosby became the NHL's all-time leader in faceoff wins with his 15,183rd in the first period, surpassing Patrice Bergeron's 15,182. The NHL began tracking faceoffs in 1997.
• Sid had two assists, including this fortuitous fan on Michael Bunting's goal in the second:
That was his team-leading eighth power-play goal, all coming since mid-November. In that span, only the Canadiens' Patrik Laine has as many, also with eight.
• Blake Lizotte was called for slashing late in the third period and, although his stick did make contact with some part of Zach Werenski and/or his equipment, it was without significant force or consequence ... unless one counts the resultant Columbus power-play goal that tied the score at 3-3 with 2:36 remaining. Sullivan would say of the call, unsolicited, that it was "a head scratcher." When I asked him to elaborate, he described it as "a stick-lift."
• Jesse Puljujarvi suited up for the first time since Dec. 7 and acquitted himself well, using his speed and size to push a consistent forecheck on a new line alongside two other big boys, Kevin Hayes and Drew O'Connor. Puljujarvi registered a shot and two attempts and, when he was on the ice, the Penguins had 19 shots attempts to the Blue Jackets' 13.
• Erik Karlsson was everywhere. In a good way. He's electric right now.
• The Blue Jackets ended the Penguins' 15-game winning streak against them in this building, dating to Dec. 21, 2015, and that didn't go unappreciated in the visiting locker room:
• Can't say I was expecting as many as 16,060 to show up for this one, never mind being as vocal as they were, but hey, that's an OK surprise. These weren't Columbus fans, either. Could hear a pin drop when the Blue Jackets scored.
• Practice Wednesday. Oilers Thursday. I'll be all football the rest of the week.
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