Malkin slams the Penguins after first game of the season!

The Pittsburgh Penguins opened their season at home against the Buffalo Sabres, but didn’t manage to offer their local fans a victory, losing 3-1 on Thursday night. 

Former Penguins forward Conor Sheary scored twice for the Sabres and, despite star goalie Matt Murray making 38 saves in the contest, it wasn’t enough. 

Evgeni Malkin scored the only goal for the Penguins - on a power-play - and it feels like the Russian forward felt he had the right to slam his own team after the first game and defeat of the 2019-20 season.

“We were not good enough. They were hungrier, the played so much faster, they won battles. I think we played only 30 minutes. We need to play faster. We need to play hungry. Every puck, we need to win.”

It’s great to see Malkin so passionate about winning, but we all know he needs to focus on himself and be careful with his attitude and what messages he wants to share in the dressing room. 

He did sound better in his following comments. 

“It’s not like we have 20 games to wake up. Season has already started. Every point is important. Every year is harder and harder to make the playoffs.”

Captain Sidney Crosby appeared to echo Malkin’s comments, which might be better for the rest of the team to hear and digest heading into the second game of the season. 

“We need to work as a unit a little bit better. It seemed like we were in between a little bit in certain areas, but I still think it comes down to competing and all those little details. They were better than us.” 

It could a language barrier thing… Or Malkin wants to be the best right out of the gate, no excuses! 

Some fans and teammates will dig it!