Penguins' Evgeni Malkin: Bad World Cup helps Geno

Malkin is looking to put his poor performance in the World Cup of Hockey behind him. "I need a better start because I'm not happy with how I played in the World Cup," Malkin told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I didn't play my game. I'm a little bit (ticked) off, a little bit mad at myself. I've worked hard the past two weeks, and I want to play more with the puck."

Analysis:

Malkin scored a goal, added a power-play assist and flicked a wrister past goalie Braden Holtby for a shootout score in the season opener Thursday. He was also on the receiving end of a Justin Williams takedown but avoided a potential serious injury situation.