What's one way to silence Sidney Crosby? Let Evgeni Malkin dominate. And so it was in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. "Geno" accounted for four points, including a hat trick, en route to a 7-4 Penguins win and a 2-0 series lead.
The good news? This is how it's supposed to go down. If the Hurricanes had won Game 2, everyone would be talking about them seizing control of the series and taking home ice advantage. Instead, Pittsburgh held serve and now the teams head back to the RBC Center, where Carolina will have the final change and the home crowd behind them.
Canes Country: Carolina Loses Pond Hockey Game - Pens 7, Canes 4
Pensburgh: Game 2 Recap: Evgeni Malkin powers the Pens by Cam Ward, the 'Canes, 7-4
News & Observer: Canes lose 7-4 to Pittsburgh • DeCock: Canes can't slow Malkin • Bayda facing possible suspension • Canes need to redefine series • Cole 'fine' after playing in Game 2
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Malkin's hat trick fuels Penguins' Game 2 win over Carolina • Penguins Notebook: 'Cheating' Staals face off on faceoffs • Hurricanes Locker Room: Failing to follow formula puts Carolina in a hole • Hurricanes Notebook: Carolina unhappy with long breaks • Collier: Malkin, Crosby turn up intensity • Cook: Fired-up Malkin leads way to Penguins victory • Overrated Hurricanes are overmatched
NHL.com: Malkin powers Penguins to Game 2 win over Canes • There's no stopping Geno • Penguins-Hurricanes series blog
WRALSportsFan.com: Stories, video and audio
850 The Buzz: Seidenberg Scores “FREE BRATWURST” on Friday!!! • BUZZ on Sound… Just in Case you Missed Something!
CarolinaHurricanes.com: Home Game Updates • My Brother Michael
Puck Daddy: Thursday's Three Stars: Malkin burns Canes in Game 2 fireworks • Evgeni Malkin laughs at your Game 2 dominance, Carolina
TSN: McKenzie: Penguins show some resiliency of their own
Sportsnet: Gino and the Kid
USA Today: Malkin leads Penguins assault with hat trick; 'Canes in 2-0 hole
ESPN.com: This spring, all systems go for Geno • Series blog