PITTSBURGH -- After finishing second in regular-season scoring with 106 points, Evgeni Malkin was nominated for the league's most valuable player award.
Based on his performance in the opening game of the Eastern Conference final, the Pittsburgh Penguins forward might also be in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
The man of the hour, Evgeni Malkin, right, and Ryan Malone celebrate a goal by the Penguins during the first period of the Eastern Conference final against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Malkin scored twice and added an assist as the Penguins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at Mellon Arena on Friday night. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday night in Pittsburgh.
"What else can you say about him?" Penguins forward Ryan Malone said of Malkin, who was named the game's first star. "You keep thinking you've seen enough and then he raises his game to another level."
If Game 1 was any indication, this series will not come down to goaltending.
In a first period that was devoid of defence, the teams combined for 23 shots and five goals. The Penguins opened the scoring at 6:19 and then took a 3-2 lead with 6.5 seconds remaining in the period.
And it was the top players that did most of the damage.
Pittsburgh received first-period goals from Petr Sykora, Sidney Crosby and Malkin, while Philadelphia's Mike Richards scored twice.
Malkin, who later added another, was an offensive beast. He assisted on the Penguins' first goal and then scored back-to-back goals for his eighth and ninth of the playoffs.
The 21-year-old now leads all playoff scorers with 17 points.
"Geno is a great player," said Sykora. "He's one of the best in the league. He proved it again (Friday night)."
What Malkin also proved was that he is a physical player.
The 6-foot-3 centre, who traded hits with 6-foot-5 Flyers defenceman Derian Hatcher throughout the game, recorded five bodychecks.
His most devastating was an open-ice collision that knocked Flyers defenceman Braydon Coburn on his back in the second.
"I wasn't surprised. He's been playing like that all playoffs," said Coburn.
"We have to try to get in front of him and get in his face and continue to try to play him hard."
Heading into the series, it was no secret that the Flyers respected Malkin's ability with the puck. Injured Philadelphia defenceman Kimmo Timonen had compared the sophomore player to a young Peter Forsberg. And, like the two-time Stanley Cup winner, Malkin has also managed to elevate his game when it matters the most.
The score was tied 2-2 in the opening frame when Malkin scored the eventual game-winner, though it was a somewhat controversial goal.
Malkin, who appeared to be offside as he received a pass from defenceman Ryan Whitney, fooled goaltender Martin Biron with a blocker-side wrist shot.
The Flyers had no excuse for leaving the Russian sniper alone for his second of the game.
Pittsburgh was short-handed when Malkin attempted a rush that culminated with him being driven into the end boards by Richards. Slow to get up and even slower to make it back down the ice, Malkin was at the tip of the offensive zone when Penguins defenceman Sergei Gonchar fed him a breakaway pass disguised as a clearing attempt.
With about five feet between himself and Biron, Malkin blasted a slapshot through the goaltender to give Pittsburgh a 4-2 lead at 4:20 in the second period.
"I'm sick of talking about Malkin," Richards said after the game. "I've been talking about him all week. I thought we did a good job against him. But we have to be better."
-- Canwest News Service
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