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Malkin makes NHL debut when Penguins host Devils

Oct 18, 2006 - 2:32 PM New Jersey (3-2-0) at Pittsburgh (2-2-0) 7:30 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- It took a little longer than expected but the Pittsburgh Penguins are ready to unveil another potential young superstar.

Evgeni Malkin is scheduled to make his NHL debut on Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Penguins face the New Jersey Devils in the first of eight meetings this season.

Picked second in the 2004 draft after the Washington Capitals selected fellow-Russian Alexander Ovechkin, the 20-year-old Malkin suffered a dislocated left shoulder in a preseason game on September 20.

A member of Russia's Olympic team at the Torino Games this past February, Malkin created controversy over the summer when he deserted his Russian League team in order to pursue a career in the NHL. In three seasons with Magnitogorsk Metallurg, Malkin recorded 36 goals and 55 assists in 132 games.

Pittsburgh is hoping Malkin and Sidney Crosby can become a solid 1-2 punch for many seasons. After scoring 102 points as a rookie last season, Crosby tops the team with six after the first four contests.

The Penguins have lost two of their last three games, including Saturday's 5-1 defeat to the reigning Stanley Cup-champion Carolina Hurricanes. Kristopher Letang scored Pittsburgh's lone tally in the second period.

Despite outshooting the New York Rangers, 15-3, in the third period, New Jersey had its two-game winning stopped in Monday's 4-2 loss. Travis Zajac scored his second goal of the campaign and Scott Gomez added his first.

Two-time Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur, who made 25 saves against the Rangers, makes his second attempt to become the third goaltender to reach 450 career victories.