Malkin Gets Hat Trick, Penguins Win 7-4

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:18:39 +0000

Last night’s game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Carolina Hurricanes began and ended with a lot of intensity. It was a bit of a busy day for me so I thought I’d put the game on while I got dinner ready and I could barely believe that, in the first 20 minutes, five goals were scored. In the end, that first period was the one that made the most sense since things got downright crazy after the break.

image: Zuma Press

Throughout the second and third periods, 16 penalties were called including a 10 minute match penalty for Carolina’s Ryan Bayda, and a matching 10 minute game misconduct for Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang. As the minutes went by and the goals kept coming, both teams just seemed to reach their boiling point. Players looked frustrated and angry but one person on the ice was celebrating.

image: Zuma Press

Evgeni Malkin had an incredible night. He got a hat trick and his parents were screaming and cheering so much in the stands that I’m sure it made it that much better. Carolina was definitely trying to get physical with him and, instead of falling apart, he channelled his energy and became unstoppable. He completed his first career playoff hat trick with a suitably amazing goal – a backhander right into the net. Incredible. Watch his three goals.

After their 7-4 victory last night, the Penguins lead the series 2-0 as they get ready to head to Carolina for games 3 (Saturday, May 23) and 4 (Tuesday, May 26). Since Carolina has been full of surprises throughout the playoffs, I’m very interested to see what they do when they’ve got home-ice advantage.

images: Zuma Press

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Malkin Gets Hat Trick, Penguins Win 7-4