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Evgeni Malkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa reach milestones

Pittsburgh Penguins v New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 05: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils and Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins keep their eye on the loose puck at Prudential Center on February 5, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Mike Stobe

Tonight’s games have heavy playoff implications, but there’s also a historic aspect to some of the proceedings - especially if you’re a fan of European players. Here are the milestones that were set, in order of highest to lowest “quantities.”

Hossa hits 900

The Chicago Blackhawks point out that Marian Hossa is now one of nine active players to hit the 900-point mark, which he reached on a power-play goal. The 33-year-old winger is in the middle of his 970th regular season game, so one could argue that he could very well put together a Hall of Fame career.

Kovalchuk scores No. 400

Putting together a HoF career Part II of III: Ilya Kovalchuk’s redemptive season keeps humming along. He scored the 400th goal of his career and he’ll turn 29 on April 15. Tom Gulitti points out that Kovalchuk is just the third NHL active player to reach the 400-goal mark before game No. 900. Kovalchuk pulled it off in game No. 771 while Teemu Selanne (700) and Jaromir Jagr (742) beat him by a few but also didn’t play their entire careers in a lower-scoring era.

Considering Kovalchuk’s sturdiness - he’s barely missed any games since becoming a full-time player - and young age, the sexy question is: how many more goals does he have in him? If you ask me, 600+ isn’t a crazy mark to shoot for, but what do you think?

Geno goal 200

Speaking of Russians primed to be bronzed, Evgeni Malkin shared some of Sidney Crosby’s spotlight as he scored the 200th goal of his impressive NHL career. He also had his 201st goal (not to mention three more assists) in a positively bonkers Pittsburgh Penguins-Winnipeg Jets game that currently has Pittsburgh up 8-4.

In case you want to prognosticate about Geno’s goal-scoring future, he scored those 201 in 417 games (with a few minutes left, mind you) and is just 25 years old. He’s been more of a passer at times but seems to be a dual threat more than ever before - he now has 43 games this season and might just be the only guy who can hit the 50-goal mark along with Steven Stamkos.
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Either way, it’s been an outstanding night of milestones for guys who still have bright futures to look forward to.