Evgeni Malkin stuns Avalanche with filthy solo goal
Evgeni Malkin just delivered a ridiculous solo goal against Colorado as Penguins head coach Dan Muse watched the veteran center slice through the slot.
The play began with the puck drifting into open ice above the circles.
Malkin gathered it in stride and immediately pulled it away from a defender trying to close the shooting lane.
Instead of rushing the play, he slowed just enough to force the Avalanche defenseman to commit his stick.
That small hesitation created the entire opening.
Malkin dragged the puck laterally with that long reach, keeping it just outside the defender's blade while gliding deeper into the slot.
The defender lunged.
Malkin calmly pulled the puck past him.
A vintage Malkin move in the slot
Once he slipped around the stick, the lane opened directly in front of the net.
Malkin leaned forward and snapped a quick shot toward the far side before the defense could recover.
The release came fast and low, sliding past the goalie and into the net.
In only a few seconds, Malkin turned a crowded scoring area into a highlight sequence.
The key was patience. Many players fire the puck the moment a defender closes in.
Malkin waited.
That half-second forced the defender to overreach and completely lose positioning.
With the Avalanche goalie set and tracking the play, the puck still arrived too quickly once the shot left Malkin's blade.
On the Penguins bench, sticks tapped the boards as teammates reacted.
Plays like that are why Malkin remains such a dangerous presence in the middle of the ice.
And as this game continues against Colorado, that moment may end up being the spark that pushes Pittsburgh forward tonight.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 16|46 ANSWERS Evgeni Malkin stuns Avalanche with filthy solo goal Is Evgeni Malkin still capable of taking over big games ? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 60.9 % |
| No | 18 | 39.1 % |
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