Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin returns for Game 3
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin returned to the lineup for Game 3 of his team’s first-round series against the New York Islanders on Thursday at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Malkin had missed the first two games of the series with a presumed right knee injury. That ailment also sidelined him for 23 games during the late stages of the regular season.
Malkin opened Game 3 in his customary role as the second-line center with Jason Zucker on his left wing and Kasperi Kapanen at the right wing.
His return provided an immediate boost to the Penguins in a variety of ways.
“Obviously, huge for our team,” forward Teddy Blueger said via video conference. “The player he is is a complete game-changer. To add to that to our lineup could go a long way. We know how well he’s played and how much he’s done for us throughout the course of the whole season, so it’s big.”
With Malkin back in the lineup, forward Evan Rodrigues was scratched after playing in Games 1 and 2.
Carter to 3rd line
Malkin’s return prompted the team to bump forward Jeff Carter to the third line. During Games 1 and 2, he served as the second-line center.
To open Game 3, Carter was flanked by Jared McCann on the left wing and Frederick Gaudreau at right wing.
Acquired via trade on April 12, Carter, who also is capable of skating on the right wing, has proven his value through his versatility.
“He’s a very valuable player for us,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He plays in a lot of key situations. He just provides more depth at the center ice position for us. Our intent when we acquired him was to put him at the center ice position for us. … He’s done a real good job there for us. He wins faceoffs. His size and his strength, I think it helps us down the middle when we’re playing down low in our end. He’s good defensively. He leans on people. He’s hard.
“Then I think just his experience and his ability to make plays under pressure. There’s no panic in his game in any aspect regardless of what the score is. He made some subtle plays in that third period in Game 2 when we’re defending a one-goal lead that for, I think, a lot of the casual spectators go unnoticed. But certainly, our coaching staff and his teammates notice those things.”
Islanders happy to be back home
Game 3 was the Islanders’ first playoff game in Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum since April 22, 2019. During their run to the Eastern Conference final last season, all of the Islanders’ postseason contests took place in the NHL’s so-called “bubbles” in either Toronto or Edmonton because of the pandemic.
With New York state loosening capacity limitations related to covid-19, 6,250 fans were permitted to be in attendance Thursday. Previously, the capacity was no more than 1,400.
As one of the oldest and cramped venues in the NHL, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum has historically offered a chaotic atmosphere throughout its history.
“It adds energy when you’re going out there and making contact and trying to create a buzz,” said Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck, one of the NHL’s most prolific hitters. “When there’s a buzz that follows, it obviously injects energy into ourselves and the group. Our job is to go out there and bring that building alive.”
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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