Penguins Edge Canucks, But All Eyes on Malkin After Scary Bench Moment
The Pittsburgh Penguins walked out of Rogers Arena with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night, but the postgame buzz wasn’t just about the scoreboard. As the final horn sounded and the bench erupted in celebration, Evgeni Malkin suddenly hunched over in visible pain, sending a jolt of concern through the team and fans alike.
It was a strange and unsettling scene. While his teammates raised their sticks in triumph, Malkin sat doubled over on the bench, clearly bothered by something. The moment was caught on video and quickly made the rounds online, prompting speculation about a possible injury - especially considering Malkin missed 15 games earlier this season with a shoulder issue.
But according to Penguins interim head coach Dan Muse, there’s no cause for panic. Muse initially seemed caught off guard when asked about the incident postgame, but later made a point to follow up with reporters, clarifying that he believed Malkin was fine and that there was nothing significant to report.
Still, it’s a moment that will be watched closely. The video shows Malkin appearing to react to a bump on the bench, and given his injury history this season, it's understandable why the scene raised some red flags.
On the ice, Malkin looked anything but limited. He was one of the Penguins' most impactful players in the win, netting his 13th goal of the season and continuing a red-hot stretch that’s seen him score in three straight games and record points in six of his last seven (4 goals, 5 assists). At 39, he’s showing no signs of slowing down, blending veteran savvy with flashes of vintage Malkin dominance.
Earlier this week in Edmonton, Malkin confirmed he wants to keep playing beyond this season. According to sources, his camp is open to contract discussions and is awaiting word from Penguins GM Kyle Dubas on next steps. Given his recent form, it’s hard to argue he doesn’t still have something left in the tank.
For now, the Penguins can breathe a little easier. They got the win, Malkin delivered again, and despite the scare, all signs point to their star center being okay. But with the playoff race heating up and every point mattering, keeping Malkin healthy could be just as important as keeping the wins coming.