Evgeni Malkin Scores 500th Goal

In a remarkable achievement last month, Evgeni Malkin scored the 500th goal of his illustrious NHL career against the Buffalo Sabres. The Pittsburgh Penguins are now set to honor this significant milestone as they gear up to face the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

Celebratory Messages

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Penguins organized a series of congratulatory videos featuring messages from former teammates and current players across the league. Among the heartfelt messages, Alex Ovechkin, who is not only a dear friend but also a legendary player himself with 863 career goals, sent his kudos to Malkin.

"Hey Geno, congrats on your 500th NHL goal," Ovechkin expressed in the video. "It’s a huge accomplishment. Welcome to the club. Keep it going. Happy for you, man."

Milestone Achievement

Malkin's achievement places him in elite company as he becomes the 48th player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal mark. He is the fourth active player to do so, joining the ranks of Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby (who has 598 goals), and Steven Stamkos (559 goals). Malkin’s accomplishment is particularly significant as he is only the second Russian player to hit this milestone, following Ovechkin, who achieved it nearly nine years ago on January 10, 2016.

Crosby's Role in the Milestone

Notably, Sidney Crosby played a significant role in Malkin's milestone goal by providing the assist. This connection is particularly fitting as Malkin had previously assisted Crosby on his own 500th goal during the 2021-22 season.

Current Season Performance

Entering the celebratory game against the Red Wings, Malkin has already added three more goals to his tally this season, bringing his total to 503 career goals. He currently ranks third on the Penguins’ all-time scoring list, trailing only the iconic Mario Lemieux (690 goals) and his teammate Crosby.

Friendship Between Malkin and Ovechkin

The relationship between Ovechkin and Malkin has evolved remarkably over the years. Despite a rocky start during their early careers, they have grown into close friends. Malkin was present to celebrate Ovechkin’s 700th career goal and even played on a line with Ovechkin and Ovi Jr. during an exhibition match at the Ovi Cup this past summer.

Conclusion

With Malkin hitting this milestone and the Penguins gathering to honor him, it’s not just a celebration of goals but a celebration of camaraderie and sportsmanship in the world of hockey. Congratulations, Geno! Here's to many more goals and memorable moments ahead!