Pittsburgh Penguins vs Chicago Blackhawks: Evgeni Malkin Shines in Anticipated Showdown

First Period

As the Pittsburgh Penguins prepare to face off against the Chicago Blackhawks, all eyes will be on Evgeni Malkin, the formidable forward who has been a consistent performer for the Pens. In their recent game against the Calgary Flames, Malkin scored one goal and provided an assist, contributing significantly to his team's victory. His shooting accuracy was remarkable, with a shooting percentage of 33 percent from three shots. Over the last three games, Malkin has accumulated four points with two goals and two assists, making him a crucial player for this matchup.

On the other side of the rink, Tyler Bertuzzi of the Blackhawks has also shown promise. In their recent encounter with the Florida Panthers, Bertuzzi netted a goal from five shots on target. His performance will be vital as Chicago looks to challenge Pittsburgh's defense early in the game.

Second Period

The second period could see significant action from Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. Crosby's presence on ice is always impactful; although he did not score in their last game against Vancouver Canucks, his leadership and strategic play are invaluable assets for Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Rust demonstrated his scoring ability against Calgary by netting a goal with an impressive 33 percent shooting accuracy from three attempts.

For Chicago, Connor Murphy stands out defensively. In their match against Carolina Hurricanes, Murphy scored a goal and maintained a plus-minus rating of +1 over 22 minutes on ice. His defensive skills will be crucial in containing Pittsburgh's offensive threats during this period.

Third Period

As we head into the final period, expect Erik Karlsson to make his mark for Pittsburgh. Although he didn't score in recent games, Karlsson's defensive prowess is undeniable. He played over 23 minutes against Vancouver Canucks and consistently contributes to maintaining team structure at critical moments.

For Chicago Blackhawks' fans looking at key players to watch Pittsburgh Penguins vs Chicago Blackhawks showdown, keep an eye on Ilya Mikheyev who recently assisted twice against Carolina Hurricanes while maintaining a plus-minus rating of +2 over nearly 19 minutes on ice time.

In conclusion, this matchup promises thrilling action with returning players for Pittsburgh Penguins like Evgeni Malkin poised to shine once again alongside other stars such as Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson. The key matchups between these teams will likely determine which side emerges victorious at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on January 29th at 7:00 PM EST broadcasted via ESPN+, CHSN TV or SportsNet PT TV network channels.

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