The Pittsburgh Penguins are unquestionably a more talented team with Evgeni Malkin in the lineup. The big Russian center is one of the game's most skilled players, a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner with a Hart Trophy and Stanley Cup also on his resume.
So why, especially this season, did Pittsburgh do so much better without Malkin in the lineup? This is a question some around the Penguins might be thinking more about, especially after their 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series Saturday afternoon at Consol Energy Center.