Penguins' Malkin: 'I've started thinking more about my defense'
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin scored 50 goals en route to capturing the Hart Trophy in 2012.
Malkin also netted 47 tallies in 2007-08 and had 33 and 35 goals, respectively, in 2006-07 and 2008-08.
So, what has the offensive threat been thinking about this season?
"I've started thinking more about my defense," the 29-year-old Malkin told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Thursday. "In the playoffs last year, they were all tight games. Sometimes one goal is the difference, so I've started to focus more on defense."
Malkin, who will play in his 600th career game on Friday versus the Edmonton Oilers (5-8-0), has seen his ice time on the penalty kill increase due to his work on defense.
More time on the ice means more opportunity to contribute for Malkin, who is tied with offseason acquisition Phil Kessel for the team lead in goals (four). Malkin has also notched a club-best six assists and 10 points.
Whether with his offense or defense, Malkin looks lift the Penguins (8-4-0) to their sixth straight victory on Friday.
