The 2023-24 season has been one of peaks and valleys for Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin. Malkin began this season scoring 17 points (8G-9A) in the Penguins first 14 games. He followed it up with just four points (2G-2A) in the following 11 but has recently regained his footing.
Part of his recent success could be due to Malkin's newest linemate and Penguins' 2019 seventh-round pick, Valtteri Puustinen. Puustinen has been the talk of the town this week following a two-assist performance in the Penguins' 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Monday.
Malkin was very complimentary of the 24-year-old Finn yesterday following Penguins practice at PPG Paints Arena.
Since Puustinen joined Malkin's line in Florida, the future Hall of Fame center has recorded five points in five games. Malkin also scored his first goal since November 28th due to a slick pass from Puustinen on a two-on-one during the second period.
Malkin's underlying numbers have also experienced a bump in recent weeks, most notably his expected goals percentage (57.66%) and in scoring chances (55.41%). The three goals Malkin has been on the ice for at 5v5 in the previous five games match the amount he saw during the 11 games before Puustinen.
The Penguins need Malkin to be at his best to climb out of the hole they find themselves in the Eastern Conference standings. With Puustinen impressing early and Malkin's chemistry with Reilly Smith starting to shine through again, the Penguins could be getting what they needed as the calendar flips to 2024.
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