Pittsburgh Penguins: Is Evgeni Malkin a Better Player Without Sidney Crosby?

If the 2011-12 NHL season has taught us anything, it's that Evgeni Malkin doesn't need Sidney Crosby on the ice in order to succeed.

Or is it simply coincidence that No. 71 averages 1.47 points-per-game in Crosby's absence and 1.14 points-per-game when the Pittsburgh Penguin's captain is in the lineup?

Opinions vary, but the fact remains: Evgeni Malkin has entered beast mode—playing the best hockey of his career during the Penguins last 15 games, spanning back to January 13 in a 4-1 win over Florida.

That win prompted an eight-game winning streak and an 11-3-1 overall record, largely due to Malkin's exploits. He's tallied 24 points (14 goals and 10 assists) during this impressive stretch—vaulting the Penguins back into serious Stanley Cup discussion.

Oh, and how does Malkin stack up against the rest of the NHL's top point-getters? He leads all players with 69 points—two ahead of Philadelphia's Claude Giroux and three better than Steven Stamkos.

No question, the 2011-12 Penguins aren't in their current position without him. 

Malkin's the clear-cut frontrunner for the Art Ross and Hart Trophies as we near the three-quarter pole of the season.

All this, a year after Malkin missed half a season due to a devastating knee injury suffered against Buffalo.

Malkin, a native of Magnitigorsk, Russia, is putting on a similar show to that of 2007-08 when Sidney Crosby missed significant time due to a high ankle sprain. That year, Malkin put the Penguins on his back and only Alexander Ovechkin bested him in points and MVP votes.

Although, Malkin is no stranger to hardware—he captured the Conn Smythe Trophy during the Penguins 2008-09 Stanley Cup run, accumulating 36 points in 24 playoff games that year. He was also the Art Ross winner during the regular season with 113 points.

Of course Crosby was fully healthy during 2008-09 postseason, debunking the myth that Malkin is somehow a better player without Crosby, but why is it that Malkin shines a little brighter when No. 87 is positioned in Mario Lemieux's corporate box?

Maybe, it's that Malkin enjoys the limelight as the top-line center. Another argument says that increased ice time makes all the difference.

Or possibly, it's that Malkin takes his game to another level knowing that Sid is unable to produce for the team.

The latter seems most plausible—great players feel the tides shifting and elevate their games when the lights shine brightest.

Let's give Malkin credit though, it's not as if his game with Crosby in the lineup is pedestrian. 

Far from it.

Drafted second overall in the 2004 entry draft, Malkin was considered the best player in the world not named Crosby or Ovechkin when he finally stepped on NHL ice for the first time in 2006-07 after a lengthy contract dispute with his former Russian club.

He won the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year and he's been a point-per-game or better player in each of his six NHL seasons.

His accolades are many, and so are Crosby's. So why assume the two don't contribute to each other's success? 

Controversy sells papers and generates television ratings, that's probably why, but the argument is futile.

Just ask the Pittsburgh Penguins if they're excited for Crosby's return, or if they're hoping he'll stay away from the team longer so Malkin can play better.

The look on Ray Shero and Dan Bylsma's face will tell you all you need to know.

Ryan O'Leary is a researcher and writer for Bleacher Report's Video Production Department with seven years experience in the sports industry. Ryan covered the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Hockey Tournament with CTV and the 2011 IIHF World Championships with the NBC Sports Channel. He was also a member of NBC's 2008 Olympic Coverage in Beijing. Ryan resides in Connecticut and supports the Pittsburgh Penguins, San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers from afar. Ryan received his bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri and Master's of Sports Management from West Virginia University.