Pens Points: Malkin vows to be better

Saturday and it’s a game day! Before we get to the preview at 8:00am, here’s some stories to be aware of as you start your day:

Evgeni Malkin hasn’t had a good start this season, but he’s focused and committed to playing better. [Penguins.nhl.com]

With February about to begin, the team announces their official plans to celebrate Black History Month this year. [Penguins.nhl.com]

Gee-Emm madness:

• Whomst makes the most sense to be the next Penguin general manager? [Tribune Review]
• Robert-o Rossi-o gives his sense of who the early front-runners are. [The Athletic $]
• Sidney Crosby admits he was surprised hearing the news that Jim Rutherford dipped out like a thief in the night. [ESPN]

Drew O’Connor was small and unnoticed just a few years ago. Now he’s 6’3 and in the NHL. [Post-Gazette]

Mark Madden takes a look at the five Jim Rutherford trades in 2015-16 that put the Penguins on a back-to-back championship trajectory. [Trib]

And from around the league..

Kevin Fiala of the Wild suspended for three games for boarding. [NHL.com]

The Vegas Golden Knights are in COVID trouble with players and coaches in protocol, and have some more games for next week postponed. [NHL.com]

Zdeno Chara will play the Bruins for the first time since leaving them, and in the biggest “uhhh, ya think” moment, Brad Marchand will not be testing the big man. [ESPN]

Jesper Kotkaniemi is tearing it up again this year for the Canadiens. [Habs Eyes on the Prize]

Learn a little about tonight’s opponent and check out the Rangers who have been up and down over the past week. [Blueshirt Banter]

What is wrong with the Ottawa Senators? Well, in the words of Dave Chappelle, “buddy, how much time ya got?” [Silver Seven Sens]

Patrik Laine has arrived in Columbus. 48 hours and a couple more negative tests and he’ll be good to go for the Blue Jackets. [Twitter - Portzline]

Finally, did you see this Alex Texier goal the other night? Even if you have, ya gotta watch it again. One of the boldest, most daring and disrespectful attempts on a hockey rink that these eyes have ever seen. Also one of the best. My goodness. And he went in Round 4, Torts didn’t even have him going in the normal three round format! (Bet that changes)