Evgeni Malkin's propensity for center is costing him ice time.
The talented scorer took 13-and-a-half minutes in the Pittsburgh Penguins' Game 3 win over the New York Rangers - his lowest time-on-ice total for a postseason game since his rookie season in 2007, as pointed out by Bob Grove.
There are several factors impacting his usage, including potential lingering effects of his forearm injury, and Pittsburgh being on the penalty kill for large portions of the first and second periods. But Malkin's desire to play down the middle, coupled with the second line's arrival with Nick Bonino as its center, is the foremost reason his role's diminished.
For the Penguins, this will only be a problem when it becomes one. So for now, and with a 2-1 series lead, what else is there to do but savor having a three-time 100-point scorer and former MVP as a depth option?
