NEW YORK -- Center Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who became the first player since 1992-93 to tally a goal in each of his first five National Hockey League games, has been named NHL Rookie of the Month for October.

Malkin edged Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (3-10--13 in 14 games), San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Carle (2-10--12 in 13 games) and Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny (2-8--10 in 11 games) for the award.

The second overall selection in the 2004 Entry Draft, Malkin made his League debut Oct. 18 against the New Jersey Devils, scoring the Penguins' only goal in a 2-1 loss. He also scored one goal each in consecutive victories against the NY Islanders (Oct. 19), Columbus Blue Jackets (Oct. 21), Devils (Oct. 24) and Philadelphia Flyers (Oct. 28).

Malkin began November action in historic fashion at Los Angeles Wednesday, becoming the first player in 89 years to tally goals in each of his first six NHL games. Malkin tallied the milestone goal at 8:29 of the first period and added the game-winner at 2:45 of overtime in the Penguins' 4-3 victory.

Before Malkin, only three players in NHL history had scored at least one goal in each of their first six (or more) games and all did so in 1917-18, the League's inaugural season. Montreal's Joe Malone, Ottawa's Cy Denneny and Montreal's Newsy Lalonde tallied goals their first 14, 12 and eight games, respectively.