Malkin leaves the Penguins game sore, but the prognosis is promising

SUNRISE, Fla. — Evgeni Malkin has scored 454 goals with the Pittsburgh Penguins since entering the NHL in 2006.

It’s safe to assume none of them have been as painful as the one he received during the Penguins’ 4-2 win against Florida on Thursday night at FLA Live Arena.

The Penguins were leading 2-1 and on the power play midway through the third period when Malkin lined up near the Panthers’ net.

Sidney Crosby hit a slap shot from the top of the left circle that appeared to go over the net…until it hit Malkin in the unprotected area, just above his right shin guard.

The puck went into the Florida net – “It’s a funny way to score goals, but a goal is a goal,” Mike Sullivan said – and Malkin fell to the ice in obvious pain. He was eventually helped off the ice and into the locker room and did not return to the game.

And while Malkin’s right leg was heavily bandaged after the game, Sullivan said “the initial prognosis is positive, so that’s a positive sign.”

Malkin’s teammates were predictably sympathetic — it’s fair to assume they’ve all had to hit into unprotected territory a few times since the start of the game — but also a little amused by what they saw, another sign he wasn’t bad. injured.

“It put him in the right spot,” Crosby said. “He looked like he was in a lot of pain. I’ve done it a couple of times over the years, but you don’t like it. … I think it made him pretty good, but hopefully I don’t think it’s going to keep him out. If you’re going to hit, make it a goal.”

Kris Letang, who was on the ice when Malkin was hurt, agreed that hitting pucks the way Malkin did is an occupational hazard.

“It’s going to happen,” Letang said. “It’s fucked up. You get hit there, and it’s like your legs are going to die. You really can’t stand it. It’s a tough place. But he’s going to make it. He’s tough.”