Evgeni Malkin: Best Goals of the Year

Evgeni Malkin has been the best player in the NHL so far this season.

While Malkin’s team is missing their captain, Sidney Crosby, Malkin has exploded into the most dominant force in the league. With the level of play from Malkin this season, I would lead many to think that even if Crosby were playing Malkin would still be the best player on the Penguins this season.

On the ice, Malkin looks much bigger than his listed 6’3” 205 lb. He has the size and speed to power through anything and hands that can leave any defenseman scratching their heads.

All that power and skill have led to some impressive goals this season.

With the season heading down the final stretch it is a good time to look at some of Malkin’s handy work. Finding the best Malkin goals might be harder than expected with so many to sort through, but here are some of the best Malkin had to offer this season. 

Honorable Mentions

While Malkin has had plenty of attention this season, and has plenty of impressive goals, too, not all of them have found their way to the internet with video good enough to share.

Malkin had an impressive triple deke that lead to a goal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgLtAwDBRZU

And earlier in the season Malkin had another impressive shootout goal to get a win against Vancouver. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qonidhaAL2c

Malkin Dekes Cam Ward out of His Pads

This shootout goal from Malkin shows his stick handling and how quick his hands can be. As Malkin came down the ice for this shootout attempt, Cam Ward was staying with him but bit a few moves too early and Malkin smoothly got right around him.

Malkin Roofs It on Cam Ward

Now maybe Malkin just has something against Cam Ward or maybe he really just is that hard to stop.

Malkin is able to get a steal deep in the Carolina zone and once he has the puck in such a tight space, he is still able to roof it right over Cam Ward. 

Shootout Goal Against Dipietro

Just like those before him, Rick Dipietro fell victim to another shootout attempt. The same way that Cam Ward was hooked on a move long before Malkin was ready to shoot. Dipietro was hooked and there was little he could do to stop it. 

Malkin Goes Around the Ranger and King Hank

Malkin is able to steal the puck again in the offensive zone, which is always very dangerous for any defending team. He is then shows off his stick handling against a very good New York Rangers team, which is an impressive feat in itself.

To top off the goal, he scored it up close on Henrik Lundqvist, which is something not many people can do. 

Malkin Gets a Little Bit of Luck

They say it is better to be lucky than to be good, but in Malkin's case being good really makes the luck come easier.

The initial save is made when Malkin fires a shot on net, but like any good player he goes after the rebound, and while he was most likely trying to center it so his teammates could knock one in things just bounce Malkin's way.

The goalie was adjusting after making the first save, and couldn't help but watch Malkin bank the puck off his back and into the net. 

Malkin Undresses the Avalanche

Malkin uses his size and speed to get around a number of defenders, but when he gets in close, his hands are just as deadly.

Malkin gets the puck with an Avalanche defender right on him and slides the puck between his legs steps around him. The goalie goes down and he walks right around him. 

Malkin Gets a Spin-O-Rama

Like all impressive goal scorers, Malkin has a spin-o-rama in his bag of tricks. When he came down on this attempt, Price seemed ready for it because his pads were in the area. Malkin, being so big and strong, boxed out Carey Price and muscled the puck into the net. 

Malkin at the All-Star Game

Yes, this was at the All-Star game, there was no defense, and anyone who wanted to score could have, but this goal just shows the skill of Malkin.

Malkin, coming into the zone, kicked the puck back up to his stick, and then gets in close. He receives a pass with his skate that he directs up to his stick and then chips it up over the goalie from about the goal line.  

Malkin Scores 7 Seconds into a Game

This takes scoring at will to a whole new level.

Maybe the Tampa Bay Lightning were not ready to start, and maybe they were caught sleeping, but that just proves that players have to be ready as soon as the puck drops.

Malkin gets past the defense right off the draw and gets a great pass from a teammate, patiently gets past Dwayne Roloson and chips it in.

Malkin Takes on the Entire Tampa Team

On the way to his hat trick, Malkin starts carrying the puck up the ice and all of Tampa comes after him. Using his impressive size and speed, he gets between the forwards and the defense, uses a great crossover to get past the last defender.

After already beating five players, why not make it an even six?

So he buries it past Roloson.