Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin Gave Perfect Reaction To Milestone Goal

Evgeni Malkin made history on Wednesday, scoring his 500th career goal in an eventual overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena.

Did he care much about that first part? Yes, of course, but he was focused on the victory.

“The game’s not perfect. I (did not) want to lose this game tonight,” Malkin said postgame, as transcribed by Seth Rorabaugh of TribLive.com.

Malkin’s milestone wouldn’t have been possible without an assist from long-time teammate Sidney Crosby, who set him up perfectly to break a 3-3 tie. Malkin added three assists in the game, but being able to get the milestone provided a rare opportunity for reflection from the 38-year-old.

“I’m like, more relaxed, more calm — for the first time, probably, I want to say, I’m proud of myself,” Malkin continued, as transcribed by Penguins team reporter Michelle Crechiolo. “It’s a great number for me. I’m from a small hometown in Russia, Magnitogorsk, first guy who’s done this and second Russian. I work hard every day, and people probably don’t understand that sometimes it’s not easy for me. It’s a great story, Sid pass to me… it’s amazing, I love it, and again, congrats to myself.”

Indeed, congrats to you, Evgeni.

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