FanHouse

These Russian to English translations are coming fast and furious now. But now, instead of taking a look at the IIHF World Championships, we got hold of an interview Sovetsky' Sports' Natalia Bragilevskaya did with Evgeni Malkin last night after Pittsburgh's Game Three win over Philadelphia. Thanks once again to Sovetsky's Washington correspondent, Dmitriy Chesnokov, for giving us a hand. The big news in this interview: Malkin revealing how the third Pittsburgh goal last night essentially deflated the Flyers and ended the game.

Why can't the Flyers compete with your team even at home?

"To be honest, the game was very difficult for us. Right until the third period the score was 2-1, and only towards the end of the period did we extend the lead. When we scored the third goal, the Flyers gave up. They had had a lot of difficult games. It was obvious they were tired. And our schedule wasn't as intense. We are looking fresher and are skating better."

Do the Flyers play the body?

"Of course! All the time... I get my share of it too. But it's the end of the season. It's not too long left to endure."

What do you mean "the end?" The most important part is ahead!

"Yeah, right, the Stanley Cup final. What I am saying is that we should have enough strength left for it."

Do you think the next game against the Flyers will be the last in this series?

"I think that it will be difficult to lose four games in a row after leading 3-0 in the series."

It happened twice in the history of the league.

"I am hoping very much that this won't happen again!" – Malkin is laughing.



If two years ago you were told that you would be playing in the Stanley Cup final, would you believe it?

"If I were told before I played my first game in the NHL? Probably not. Although anything can happen in life. But if I were told about this a year ago, then I would believe it. Our team is very young and talented. We gained a lot of experience, matured... Everything is in our hands."

Are you following the Western Conference finals between Detroit and Dallas? Won't you be intimidated to play the Wings in the finals?

"I am following it. It so happens that they play on the days we are off. Detroit is a great team. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are playing an awesome game. Therefore, we are not expecting an easy life in the finals. Although we haven't gotten past Philadelphia yet..."

What's worse: to lose in the first round, or in the Stanley Cup finals?

"In the first round, of course," – Malkin said with a smile. "When you make it all the way to the final you gain very invaluable experience, as well as absolutely indescribable feelings of intensity and tension around the event."

Our reporter also asked Mario Lemieux about Malkin [note: translated from Russian]: "I am absolutely not surprised that Malkin is playing so well. I have been watching him for two years. This is a world class forward. It is great luck that Malkin is playing in the NHL wearing the Penguins' sweater."