The Columbus Blue Jackets paid a visit to Pittsburgh and they left with a loss, as is tradition. The last time they won in Pittsburgh Matt Murray hadn’t played a game for the Penguins yet, Martavis Bryant still looked promising, people still liked Game of Thrones, and there was a lot of whipping and nae naeing.

The Blue Jackets look at the Penguins as a rival. The Penguins don’t look at them at all, nor does anyone else

How the Columbus Blue Jackets became one of the most hapless franchises in sports ⤵️https://t.co/xv3LO1znY3

— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) March 26, 2024

It’s harsh, but it is what it is.

Both Penguins superstars combined to dispatch the Blue Jackets last night with Evgeni Malkin scoring twice and Sidney Crosby adding two helpers.

Malkin scored a one-timer on the power play, which has been a rare sight in recent memory

That's 20 goals for Evgeni Malkin! 🔥

With this tally, @emalkin71geno becomes just the 31st player in NHL history, and fourth active player, with fifteen 20-goal seasons. pic.twitter.com/sNuznp6s4z

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 29, 2024

The goal was his 20th of the season and he now has 15 20 goal seasons in his career.

An even rarer site occurred last night when two other Malkins were shown on the big screen

Evgeni Malkin all smiles talking about Mom and Dad: "They come yesterday and they haven’t been here since I think 2018 or ’19. It’s a long time ago, and it probably gives me a little more emotion, and it works, you know? I’m so mad they did not come in like, October or November." https://t.co/eHoTi7niUQ

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 29, 2024

Malkin on his parents being in town: "They want to watch a live game, finally - but I know they watch every game from the Internet. They wake up at 3 AM in my hometown and they watch every game, they know everything." 🥹 pic.twitter.com/1ZVrGRcq3P

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 29, 2024

It’s good to see the Malkins in Pittsburgh after years away. A nice moment in a lost season.

It would be real easy for players on a team in the Penguins situation to shut it down and ride things out. Sidney Crosby is not that player. He has 9 points in his last 3 games and 14 points in his last 8 games. He now has 78 points in 72 games. He only has to get four points in ten games at this point to get his point per game season. I like his chances.

The teams will reconvene tomorrow night in Columbus.

Thanks for reading!

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