It's been an adjustment for Malkin on a number of different levels in this unique shortened season, starting with his offseason training back in his native Russia. Malkin said that while ice was available, he had difficulty finding a gym, which forced him to adjust his usual routine.
"I did my best," he said. "I skate every day, I do a little bit of a workout after with (body weight), just like squats and pushups. I feel okay, my legs and my body feel fine. Just need to be a little bit hungry and just win every battle in the corner, win faceoffs, just help the team. I understand that I am not playing great right now, but the season just started."
Malkin also said it's been tough for him to play without fans after a condensed training camp and no preseason games, but acknowledged that everyone in the league is in the same position. Malkin knows what he is capable of and feels it's only a matter of time before he rediscovers his best game.
"It's tough to say any good things about my game right now, but I hope it's coming and I believe in myself," Malkin said.
He made some strides in that regard in the first game of the series against Boston, as his line with Jason Zucker and Kasperi Kapanen - playing a full game together for the first time - was the biggest factor in the Penguins battling back from a third-period deficit to get a point in the 3-2 overtime loss. But they weren't quite able to build on that tonight, as the Penguins struggled to create offense.
Sullivan said that in his experience coaching Malkin, when he scores a goal or two, his confidence goes to another level and he tends to take off. So they've just been trying to keep encouraging him as much as they can and telling him to shoot the puck when he has the chance.
"Make sure he's trying to play the game the right way and play on both sides of the puck," Sullivan said.
And Malkin said that message has been received by him and everyone else in the Penguins locker room.
"We need to try to play simple and we need to just work, work, work," Malkin said. "We have great players and we try to support each other. If your teammates or your partners see you play right, if you do a great job on the ice and everything is right, they follow you. It's an amazing message, just play a good game."
