Saturday showed signs that the Penguins desperately need Sid in the lineup. They started Saturday’s matinee by jumping out to a quick two goal lead against the Rangers. They ended it by losing in a shootout and looking rather unimpressive in-between. Saturday’s game for the first twenty-five minutes would have reminded you of a Penguins team from 10 years ago, they were fast, smothering, and utterly dominate. Then they quickly looked like the Penguins of the past couple of seasons, disjointed. Still, they exited New York with a point which is important this time of year. The bigger, more important test, was how they would respond on Sunday against a stacked playoff team, Vegas, without their captain. Well, they showed everyone that they are legit with or without Sidney Crosby. An absolute beat down of the Vegas Golden Knights took place on Sunday. The Penguins dismantled the Knights by a score of 5-0. That win, as Kindel called it, was a complete statement win. Not only was it a statement win in terms of how legitimate this team is, but also a statement to the team’s GM that despite Sid’s status there is absolutely no reason to be anything but buyers on Friday.

Matthew Schaefer has 20 goals as 18-year-old defensemen. He is the heart and soul of the Islanders, the only reason they’re going to make the playoffs, and their best player. He will win the Calder Trophy almost unanimously. None of that diminishes what Ben Kindel is doing in Pittsburgh. He is a special talent. Kindel opened the scoring on Sunday, responding from a poor performance Saturday (like most of the team).

Kindel also added an assist bringing his season totals to 15 goals and 14 assists. Since returning home to play in Vancouver, you could make an argument that Kindel has been the team’s best player. He is seriously that good. Not only has he really started to figure out the offense, but he is also one the best defensive forwards on this roster. He is outscoring opponents 10-2 since that Vancouver game, best on the team. He might not win it, but he is absolutely going to receive Calder votes. What an amazing draft pick and his presence has completely changed the future of this team, he’s that good. Other teams spend years at the bottom of the standings hoping to draft a guy like Kindel, the Penguins did it in one season.

My somewhat daily sucking of Egor Chinakhov needs to take place now too. Holy shit can this guy rifle the puck. One of the best shots I have ever seen. He can score regardless of any mitigating factors that typically prohibit someone from filling the back of the net. He can be off balance, in a bad spot, and have no time to shoot yet he can still put it upstairs where grandma hides the cookies. What’s even more impressive is the way he has bought in to the entire game. Russians aren’t typically known for their defensive efforts, Chinakhov used to be no different. However, now we are seeing him fly back towards his own zone just as quickly as we see him jump up ice to receive a pass from Geno. Egor tracked back on a 2-on-1 yesterday, executing a perfect stick lift, and essentially eliminated what would have been Vegas’ best chance in the entire game. Columbus is one of the dumbest organizations in the league. How could they have four different head coaches that were unable to unlock this type of talent? What an insane blunder by them and a gigantic reason why they’ll almost be our littlest brother.

After the game on Saturday, Egor’s countryman and linemate, Malkin talked with reporters about his contract for the first time. What Geno had to say did not sit well with the fanbase. He essentially said that the supposed talks over the break never really developed. He made a comment that they might meet today, Monday, but more likely after the end of the season. Dubas has rightfully garnered a lot of fanfare for his work the last 12 months, but he is tip-toeing being hated by everyone that reguarly goes to PPG Paints Arena. Malkin has made it abundantly obvious that he wants to play next season, always for Pittsburgh only with Sid, and if he were to not play it’s completely a Dubas call. Now, I do think Geno will get signed because it shouldn’t be expensive and it’s only going to be for one season so most of this mute. However, if Dubas walks Geno to retirement without letting the fans know this would be the end of his time in Pittsburgh that is downright wrong. Malkin is once against strapping this team to his elderly back without Sid. To not let the fans give him a proper goodbye would be malicious. I also don’t really see how they fill his void. Sure, the Penguins have tons of cap-space this offseason but the free agent market sucks. If they make a big trade, it will almost assuredly remove someone from the roster leaving a spot for Geno. Also, as we have seen with Koivunen this season it takes time for the young guns to figure it out. You cannot bank on one, or any, of them to seamlessly come to Pittsburgh and fill the potential void left by Evgeni Malkin. Given the way Geno has played, there is little to no reason to not bring him back. I haven’t even mentioned the impact this would have on the team’s captain. For all the good Kyle has done this season, it could all be wasted on the wrong decision regarding Evgeni Malkin.

With Sid out, Geno has shouldered the load. He has looked incredible, and impactful, since the break. This shouldn’t come as a surprise because it’s what he has always done. What we did see the first couple of games was that Rakell and Rust looked somewhat lost without Sid. Luckily, they both figured it out and scored goals on Sunday. I have liked Avery Hayes game, but he is better suited for a bottom six role at this point in his career. Hayes certainly has the potential to be the next Rust but remember Rust started on the 4th line for a reason.

The Penguins have two more games until the deadline. I think regardless of the outcomes, they have shown Dubas that he should buy. Even if he doesn’t buy, he better resign Malkin.