In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on the best 1-2 center punch in the Metro Division.
Todd Cordell
As good as Nicklas Backstrom/Evgeny Kuznetsov are, and Nico Hischier/Jack Hughes will be, the crown still belongs to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Crosby is showing no signs of slowing down. He just put up 100 points for the first time since 2013-14 while leading the entire league in Goals Above Replacement, per Evolving-Hockey.com.
Malkin had a bit of an off season in what was a drama-filled year in Pittsburgh and yet he still put up 72 points in just 68 games. When he's on, few can completely take over games the way he can.
Crosby/Malkin is the boring choice – they've probably been the best 1-2 punch in their division for 10 years – but it's the right one. Crosby is 32 and Malkin is 33, though, so their reign atop the division may not last too much longer. Adam French
This is obviously Zibanejihad and Howtromenikov.
As much as I love Backstrom and Kuznetsov, this has to be Crosby and Malkin. The OG 1-2 franchise centre punch. Despite getting longer in the tooth, Crosby is still one of the best players in the game and Malkin one of the most dynamic offensive players out there.
Crosby does everything. He's matured like a fine whine (there you go Flyers fans). He's still managing to score 100 points a year, but now is doing that while being elite defensively.
Malkin in a "down year" had 72 points in 68 games. Sure he's not good defensively and has always had his characteristic on and off switch, but he's still so damn dominant offensively and on the Power Play.
Can't go wrong with the classics.
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