20-Year-Old Captures Award For Second Consecutive Month

NEW YORK -- Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin, who led all rookies in scoring with 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 14 games, has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for November.

Malkin edged Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (3-7--10 in 13 games), Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny (5-5--10 in 14 games) and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Shane O’Brien (1-7--8 in 15 games).

Malkin began the month in historic fashion Nov. 1 at Los Angeles, becoming the first player in 89 years to tally goals in each of his first six NHL games. He added the game-winning goal at 2:45 of overtime in the Penguins' 4-3 victory. Malkin also tallied multiple points in a 6-3 loss to Ottawa Nov. 10 (one goal, one assist), a 5-3 victory at Philadelphia Nov. 20 (two assists) and a 4-3 shootout loss to Boston Nov. 22 (one goal, one assist).

Also named the League's top rookie for October, Malkin is just the second player to earn consecutive Rookie of the Month honors to start a season since the award was instituted in 1983-84. The first was Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall, named in October and November of 1986.