Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin worlds’ performance adds to his NHL success-NHL News
Forward, Evgeni Malkin, who represents the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL), was the bright spot of the Russians’ performance in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) world championships, winning a number of awards for his
outstanding performance in the tournament.
Russia won the championships to claim the gold medal in the tournament, which was co-hosted by Sweden and Finland and 16 world ice hockey teams, a majority from Europe apart from Team US and Canada, participated in the event.
Russians were undefeated in the event and finished it at 10-0. Their success was a result of superb performance from the players like Malkin.
Malkin ended the event as the leading scorer with 11 goals and 19 points. He was declared the most valuable player (MVP) of the world championships, claiming a gold medal to his achievement.
It was a rare honour for the player, who joined his home side in the tournament after Penguins’ elimination from the NHL.
His notable goal was the last one in the final as he managed to find the net on a slap shot from the slot in the third period.
With the help from Malkin and other players, Russia beat Slovakia 6-2 to reclaim the gold after the gap of a couple of years. They were champions in 2008 and 2009 successively.
Meanwhile, to be honoured with the MVP title was another feat for Malkin after he had ended the NHL season with the leading 109 points. His record included 50 goals.
For his talent and game skills, the player has been considered as the top candidate for the Hart Trophy winner. The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on June 15 in Las Vegas, United States.
It is for the first time since Wayne Gretzky in 1982 that a player has become the leading scorer in the NHL while taking home his country team in the world championships in the same year.
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