A goal straight out of a picture book: Malkin scores his 500th goal with an assist from Crosby

Malkin had also (hilariously) congratulated himself after scoring the only assist on Sidney Crosby's 500^Th Goal on February 15, 2022 against Philadelphia.

That evening, Malkin said, “I hope he can help me with my 500 one day.”^Th Target!” Of course, that's exactly what happened, as Crosby recorded the only helper at Malkin's.

On the play, Malkin had the puck at the markers along the boards. He pushed it to Crosby behind the net and ran straight toward the blue paint. The captain gave it back when Malkin lost his footing on the first attempt – and knocked the rebound off the ice.

“I wanted to find a way, and sometimes it doesn't work. “Obviously we don’t play together on the same line that much,” Crosby said. “Whether it was a power play or something, I was hoping I would have the opportunity to find him and it worked out. He prepared me so well for my 500 there^Th; I was hoping I could return the favor. He had a little more work than mine. Just a nice goal.”

Bryan Rust was the first Penguins player to hug Malkin, and Crosby quickly joined them as the entire Pittsburgh bench ran to congratulate their teammate. The fans had started chanting “GENO! GENO!” during the team’s first power play of the first period, and those chants grew thunderous as the Penguins celebrated.