Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin thankful for being healthy during All-Star Game –NHL Update
Evgeni Malkin certainly does have a lot of weight on his shoulders after the exit of his teammates, Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain, Sidney Crosby, along with a number of others due to various injuries, but with all that responsibility, he is feeling thankful
for being healthy and ready-to-go in the 2012 Molson Canadian National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star Game on Sunday, January 29, 2012.
Not having a chance to play in the star studded game last season due to his year ending knee injury, which also was a reason his team was barely able to make it in the postseason and faced elimination in the first round, Malkin is ready to enjoy it this
time around.
"Everybody knows that since I was injured (last season) I missed many games. It was important for me to deserve this spot on the All Star roster," Malkin told NHL.com/ru, the NHL's Russian-language site. "Only the best players in the world are chosen to
be here, and for me it is very prestigious to get in this group."
At the moment, Evgeni Malkin, a 25-year-old from Magnitogorsk, Russia, is sitting atop the league in terms of points with 58 (26 goals, 32 assists). He has been the one man for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who has been able to lead them through thick and thin
when bad time arise as players have to leave with injuries.
With all this added-on duty, one would suppose Malkin might break under the stress and extreme pressure from the club, but he is feeling the exact opposite way, which is confident.
"In regards of what do I feel - it probably has to do with confidence," Malkin said. "Due to my English, I can better communicate and feel more confident about my game, so I feel comfortable."
Zdeno Chara, the captain of Boston Bruins’, as well as his own All-Star team, chose his Russian counterpart with his fifth overall pick during the Fantasy Draft, which definitely has his feeling more welcome with a weak English language, communicating just
got that much easier for Malkin.
Seeing Evgeni Malkin will obviously be a must-see as the league leader will be going head-to-head with the best, all in one ice rink.
Tags: