Around the NHL

Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL with (24 goals – 56 assists – 80 points) and is a +19. Despite leading the NHL in the points, Malkin is not even in the top 3 when it comes to the M.V.P. discussion. For him to get into the top three by the end of the season, he will have to get the Penguins into playoffs and there’s been talk he will have to get into the 40 goal plateau. A lot of experts who have votes look at goals, Ovechkin and Parise are going to easily top 40. Is it right to overlook the assists Malkin is putting up? No it’s not but he’s going to need at least 40-43 goals to

Penguins fall to Avalanche 5-3

The Penguins woes continue as they lost to the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 Saturday afternoon at the Pepsi Center. Today’s loss is the Penguins seventh in eight games and the team fell to 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Florida beat the Atlanta Thrashers 8-4 this afternoon to move two points ahead of the Penguins for 9th place in the East. Head coach Michel Therrien tried to jump start the Penguins offensive attack today, reuniting Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the same line. The move paid off as Crosby and Malkin each had a goals and assist but the Penguins struggled in their defensive zone again and Dany Sabourin didn’t do enough to give the Penguins a chance to win.

Penguins re-assign Ben Lovejoy

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned defenseman Ben Lovejoy to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Lovejoy, 24, played two games with Pittsburgh, including his NHL debut on Dec. 8 versus Buffalo. Sources tell me Phillipe Boucher has received clearance to play. Boucher has been suffering from concussion symptoms

Penguins fall to Sabres 4-3

Post Game Thoughts The Penguins couldn’t hold on to a 3-2 lead going into the third period. The Penguins were outshot 10-3 in the third period and failed to put away the game early in the third when they began the period with a 5 on 3 power play for 53 seconds. The Penguins power play which ranks dead last on the road burned them tonight. The Penguins were 0-7 on the night. The Sabres were very aggressive on the penalty kill. John Curry played very well making 28 saves on 32 shots. He did what he needed to do for the Penguins to win tonight. It was good to see him perform well tonight. Sidney Crosby (2 goals) and