Pittsburgh Penguins Video: Watch Evgeni Malkin's Epic Goal En Route to Hat Trick

Evgeni Malkin scored an unbelievable goal this afternoon in the 8-1 beatdown the Pittsburgh Penguins gave the Tampa Bay Lightning when he skated through three opposing players then deked goaltender Dwayne Roloson at the end to complete a remarkable goal.

It was almost as if Malkin dared the Lightning to even try to stop him. The Russian star has been the best player in the NHL this season and it will be quite difficult for anyone to vote for someone else when the Hart Trophy ballots are cast.

You could easily argue that even when Detroit Red Wings star Pavel Datsyuk is healthy, Malkin is still the best player in the game.

Malkin has now tied Lightning star Steven Stamkos for the league lead in points with 73, but the Penguins forward has played in seven fewer games.

Without forward Sidney Crosby for most of the season, the Penguins are still an elite team and Malkin's spectacular season is the primary reason why. Penguins forwards Jordan Staal, James Neal and Malkin all have at least 20 goals this season.

The speed and skill Malkin has makes him one of the most exciting players in hockey and his skill set is quite similar to former Pittsburgh legend Mario Lemieux.

So, is this the goal of the year? It has my vote.

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Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.