Second Line Pushing Penguins to Top of Division

The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division. Trailing the Carolina Hurricanes by seven points, they are tied with the New York Islanders in the chase for first place.

The Penguins are one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season. After missing three consecutive postseasons, the expectation was that this organization was already down the path of a rebuilding process. All of a sudden, this team is 10 games over .500 and carries a +12 goal differential as they hit their 50th game of the season.

The Penguins' success has gone on long enough to make them a legitimate threat in the Metro. That success can be attributed to multiple factors like the arrival of goaltender Stuart Skinner and unending excellence of Sidney Crosby, but it's their productive and dangerous second line that is pushing this team toward a playoff spot.

Malkin and His Running Mates

39-year-old Evgeni Malkin has been the other anchor of the Penguins' lineup since 2006. Now in the final year of his current contract and mulling his NHL future, he is presently playing like his 2006 self.

Through 34 games, he has 11 goals and 37 points. After missing a month due to injury, he's been active for the past eight contests, recording four goals and five assists for nine points while helping the Pens to a 4-2-2 record.

But Malkin isn't doing it alone. He's had two multi-point efforts in the past eight games, and they've come from helping to create plays for his linemates, Tommy Novak and Yegor Chinakhov.