Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakov emerge as the Penguins' top offensive duo in NHL with elite scoring rates

The Pittsburgh Penguins' forward combination of Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakov has established itself as one of the most productive duos in the National Hockey League this season, delivering top scores. When the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Egor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets a little more than a month ago, it seemed like a worthwhile bet. As per reports, in 100 minutes together, the Malkin-Chinakhov duo has outscored teams by an 8-1 margin during 5-on-5 play. Taking it down to a per-minute basis, they are averaging 4.34 goals per 60 minutes and 3.09 expected goals per 60 minutes, which are considered elite numbers. The Malkin-Chinakov pair has averaged 4 goals per 60 minutes and 3 expected goals per 60 at even strength, elite benchmarks across the league. Adding Tommy Novak forms a trio leading NHL forward lines in goal differential (7-1) among those with at least 75 minutes, topping goals per 60 among 216 combinations.Egor Chinakov and Evgeni Malkin have emerged as the NHL’s top scoring pair after the duo ignited the Pittsburgh Penguins’ offensive lineup. They have been one of the most productive duos in the NHL from a goal-scoring perspective, and in more than 100 minutes together, the Malkin-Chinakhov duo has outscored teams by an 8-1 margin during 5-on-5 play. Take it down to a per-minute basis, and they are averaging 4.34 goals per 60 minutes and 3.09 expected goals per 60 minutes. Apart from these, the Penguins have also found success with Tommy Novak alongside Malkin and Chinakhov. They altogether boast a 7-1 goal differential and exceed five expected goals per 60 minutes, ranking them in the upper tier among forward units with at least 75 minutes together this season.Evgeni Malkin is one of the great players of this era in the NHL, and in turn, one of the best to ever play for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also entered this season as a potential trade candidate, but that has changed with the Penguins' fortunes. According to PuckPedia, Evgeni Malkin is signed to a 4-year, $24.4 million contract with a cap hit of $6.1 million per season, playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. His contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, making Malkin an Unrestricted Free Agent. Meanwhile, he was traded to Pittsburgh by Columbus for Danton Heinen, a 2nd-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and a 3rd-round pick in 2027, on December 29, 2025. He is signed to a 2-year, $4,200,000 contract with a cap hit of $2,100,000 per season, playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. His contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, making Chinakhov a Restricted Free Agent.