Olympic champion Valery Kamensky weighed in on Evgeni Malkin’s unfortunate own goal during the NHL regular season game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Arizona Coyotes, arguing that the incident would not trigger disciplinary action. His remarks, relayed by Sports Express, offered a calm perspective on a moment many players face in the pressure-filled arena.
Kamensky stressed that mistakes of this kind are an unfortunate but normal part of professional hockey. It is a moment any skater might encounter when the pace on the ice is blistering and decisions must be made in an instant. While the blunder stings, he suggested there would be no severe response from Malkin’s teammates. Instead, the team would likely show support and lighthearted banter as a coping mechanism rather than punishment.
The incident unfolded when the Penguins, while on a power play, pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, effectively stacking the ice with six skaters. Malkin, positioned near his own empty net after Kris Letang’s pass, was unable to convert and inadvertently redirected the puck into his own goal. The error came at a moment of heightened risk, illustrating how small misreads can turn a scoring opportunity into a misstep that affects momentum in a high-stakes game.
Arizona capitalized on the error, contributing to a decisive turn in the match. The Coyotes surged ahead and ultimately came away with a 5-2 victory, a result that underscored the unpredictable nature of hockey where a single play can tilt the balance of a game.
Throughout this NHL season, Malkin has appeared in 44 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording 15 goals and 23 assists. His long career in the league has produced a cumulative 1267 points in regular-season play, comprised of 486 goals and 781 assists. This season’s performance remains a reflection of his consistency and his ability to contribute in multiple ways, whether finishing plays or setting them up for teammates.
Reports had previously highlighted Malkin’s involvement in notable moments, including another own-goal episode that drew attention from fans and analysts alike. The Coyotes, meanwhile, have enjoyed a string of success in the NHL, a testament to the competitive environment that characterizes the league and keeps players vigilant about every shift and decision on the ice.