Evgeni Malkin’s third-period goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 3 did more than insure a dominant 5-1 win over the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions in their home arena— it also recalled what might be the single most memorable strike of Malkin’s career.
On Thursday, the play began when Pierreu2011Edouard Bellemare lined Malkin up for a hit along the neutral-zone boards.
Malkin responded by bouncing him to the ice, then skated past Bellemare to the defensive zone. He helped force a turnover, then slipped behind Tampa Bay’s defense and put himself in position to accept a breakaway pass from Danton Heinen.