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Evgeni Malkin (Photo by Justin Berl\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – The Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> played two games against the Nashville Predators as part of the NHL Global Games 2025. They earned three points from the trip \u2013 a 2\u20131 overtime loss in the first game and a 4\u20130 win in the second. One of the standout performers in Stockholm was Evgeni Malkin<\/a>, who continues an incredible start to his season.<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t play very well in the first game, so of course we weren\u2019t happy,\u201d Malkin told RG in an exclusive interview after Sunday\u2019s game. \u201cI scored in the first one, but when the team loses\u2026 We flew here for seven hours, so we really wanted to win today. In the end, three points from two games is a good result. My goals were funny, but I\u2019m still happy with them.\u201d<\/p>\n Malkin, who turned 39 on July 31, is having a fantastic fall. He leads the Penguins in scoring with 23 points<\/a> (5+18) in 19 games. In the first match in Stockholm, he became the oldest player in NHL history to score in a regular-season game played outside North America (39 years, 107 days) \u2013 and he broke his own mark again two days later.<\/p>\n Malkin said he is enjoying hockey again and is trying not to think about the fact that this is the final season of his four-year contract with a $6.1 million cap hit<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe last few years were tough. We missed the playoffs and didn\u2019t play our best hockey. Before this season, I told myself: if this is the last one, I just need to enjoy it. Not pay attention to negativity or the stories about trades. I come to practice and try to enjoy every day. If it ends up being my last season, it\u2019s OK. If I play well and we agree on one or two more years, that would be great. I\u2019ve accepted the situation and came into this year with a new mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n Malkin Leads the Charge as Penguins Surge<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just Malkin who is thriving. With Dan Muse behind the bench, the Penguins \u2013 who missed the playoffs for three straight years \u2013 are giving their fans reasons to smile. The team sits third in the Metropolitan Division<\/a> at 10-5-4 and owns the best power play in the NHL at 34.1%.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to say what exactly helped me start so well. New coach, new linemates. It\u2019s working so far.”<\/p>\n “In the last game and today, I got a bit lucky \u2013 two goals from behind the net. But we\u2019re trying to play solid hockey. The power play is clicking, one of the best in the league. And for now, luck is on our side. I hope it stays that way.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked how old he feels, Malkin laughed and said that sometimes he feels older than the number in his passport. He admitted that recovery gets harder with age, and taking care of his body has become a top priority.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, sometimes you wake up and feel like you\u2019re 40 or even older. Some games really take a lot out of you. In the morning, everything hurts. But then you get a massage, do your treatments, cold tubs \u2013 and you\u2019re back. The main thing is to take care of yourself: get the extra massage, do the procedures, take vitamins. Overall, I feel fine. I don\u2019t want to say what age I feel, because it changes.\u201d<\/p>\n The Penguins and Malkin have not yet talked about a new contract beyond 2025\u201326. Team president Kyle Dubas has said a decision will be made later, possibly during the Olympic break.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s too early to talk about it. The season is long; there are many games ahead. We\u2019ll see how I feel. I understand his concerns \u2013 he wants to see how I perform over a long stretch. Sometimes players start well for 20 games, then the scoring disappears. The main thing is to play well the whole season. Then we\u2019ll talk \u2013 maybe in February, maybe after the season. I don\u2019t want to worry about it. I just want to enjoy hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n New Faces, Old Friends<\/p>\n