Penguins' Jeff Carter: Evgeni Malkin 'didn't miss a beat' after long layoff

Pittsburgh Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin couldn't have asked for a much better regular-season debut coming off the June knee surgery that cost him roughly three months of the campaign than what he enjoyed in Tuesday's dominant 4-1 victory at the Anaheim Ducks. Malkin scored a pair of goals and also tallied an assist, and his line that included Jeff Carter and Kasperi Kapanen combined for seven points in the win, according to Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' website. 

Carter spoke following Wednesday's practice at Crypto.com Arena about the future Hall of Famer as he and his teammates prepare to face the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. 

"G looked pretty good, eh? It looked like he didn't miss a beat," Carter said of Malkin. "Kappy and I were talking during the game - it's just his confidence. The plays he's making and taking guys 1-on-1 after seven months off, it's something special to watch. So it's a lot of fun to play with him."

Even before the three-time Stanley Cup champion returned to the lineup, Pittsburgh recently enjoyed a 10-game winning streak and has now notched victories across 11 of 12 contests. Malkin, meanwhile, largely looked like his old self while producing a highlight-reel moment along with fellow superstar Sidney Crosby: