Evgeni Malkin had extra motivation in the Pittsburgh Penguins latest victory.

The odds are stacked against the Pittsburgh Penguins making the playoffs. With ten games remaining, they'll need to go on a run that would be unprecedented for this year's team.

However, if the Penguins get the version of Evgeni Malkin that took the ice last night, things may not be so bleak. The Penguins got a vintage Malkin performance against the Blue Jackets, scoring two power play goals en route to the 3-2 victory.

There was a clear motivation for Malkin that hadn't been present throughout this season. His parents are in town. Vladimir and Natalia Malkin are royalty in Pittsburgh. They were a staple at PPG Paints Arena throughout three Stanley Cup runs and countless other playoff series since their son joined the Penguins in 2006.

In town for the remainder of the season, the Malkins may have brought their son an added edge with the Penguins hanging onto playoff hopes, an edge their son is well aware of.

"They come yesterday and haven't been here since 2018 or 2019. It's a long time ago. It probably gave me a little bit more emotion, and it worked. I'm mad they didn't come in October or November."

Malkin registered his first power-play goal, a vintage slapshot from atop the right faceoff circle, for the first time in 38 games. He followed that up with a second just six minutes later for his first two-goal performance in 39 games.

If the Penguins get this side of Malkin over the final ten games, the Penguins may make things interesting in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spots.

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