Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin Earning Extension While Injured?

A Streak of Historic Collapses Without No. 71

Since Malkin went down, the losses haven't just been bad, they've been brutal. A shootout loss to the Dallas Stars after a late Miro Heiskanen goal. Another shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks after rookie Beckett Sennecke skated through traffic and tied the game with 0.1 seconds left — while Pittsburgh was on a power play.

The Penguins are now 0–5 in shootouts this season and have lost nine straight dating back to last year. They’ve won just one of their last 12 shootouts over two seasons. It’s become a serious problem.

It wasn’t all heartbreak for Pittsburgh. Crosby picked up assists in both shootout losses, leaving him just five points shy of tying Lemieux’s franchise record for regular-season points.

Then came Montreal, where Pittsburgh got out-goalied and lost 4-2. After that, the San Jose Sharks pulled off one of the wildest comebacks in NHL history, erasing a 5–1 third-period deficit before John Klingberg ended it in overtime. The Sharks' comeback was so miraculous, it brought longtime San Jose play-by-play announcer Randy Hahn to tears.

The following night, Pittsburgh’s late-game struggles continued. For the sixth straight game, the Penguins surrendered a third-period lead, coughing up four goals in the first seven minutes after entering the frame up 3–0. A late goal from Justin Brazeau forced overtime and Dylan Guenther needed just 42 seconds to finish it.

The numbers behind those two losses are almost unbelievable. Pittsburgh had a 99.9 percent chance to beat San Jose and a 97.9 percent chance against Utah. Losing both games works out to a 0.0021 percent probability — roughly one in 47,619. This isn’t just a slump. It’s a nightmare.

The next game somehow managed to be even stranger. Tristan Jarry faced his former team for the first time with Stuart Skinner starting for Pittsburgh, the goalie he was traded for. Edmonton won 6–4 as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each had four points.

Draisaitl also became the 103rd player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points. Crosby added another assist, leaving him one shy of tying Mario Lemieux. A day later, things bottomed out further, as the Penguins were shut out 4–0 by the Ottawa Senators. The common factor in all these losses? No Evgeni Malkin.

Why Malkin Still Matters and the Contract Question

Everyone knew Malkin was important. This stretch has shown just how essential he is. Without him backing up Crosby down the middle, the Penguins have completely fallen apart.

Would these third-period collapses happen with Malkin on the bench? Would opponents feel as comfortable pushing back? Malkin doesn’t just score. He brings edge, leadership, and accountability. He demands more from teammates and isn’t afraid to do so loudly when needed.

He’s not afraid to drag his team into the fight. That presence matters, especially when games start slipping away.

Malkin has been clear: he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh. He’s in the final year of his four-year, $24.4 million deal. Rumors around the league suggest this could be his last season, though that may just be a negotiation tactic by management.

Still, letting one of Crosby, Malkin, or Letang walk prematurely would feel like a massive failure for both the organization and its fanbase. This trio has defined the franchise for two decades, and even nearing 40, Malkin has already shown this season that he still has plenty left in the tank.

According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Kyle Dubas and Malkin plan to revisit contract talks during the Olympic break in February. Given how the Penguins have looked without him, maybe waiting is unnecessary. Sometimes, a team shows you the answer before the question is even asked.