For the most part, yesterday was a usual game day for Penguins rookie center Evgeni Malkin.

Except for the part about him being clear of any legal maneuvering by Metallurg Magnitogorsk, his former Russian Super League team.

	The Chair drill sparks Gonchar Near the end of the morning skate, Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar left the ice, then returned shortly with a chair and placed it about 8 feet inside the blue line. He blasted several shots around the chair. Gonchar said it's something he does when he sees a pattern of his shots being blocked just after he takes them. "I've had my shots blocked a lot [lately]," he said. "Sometimes shots are getting blocked in front of the net and you can't do a lot about it because the defensemen have a chance to see it coming." But when his shots -- particularly on power plays -- aren't making it more than several feet, he reaches for the chair. And last night it worked as he scored two goals in the Penguins' win. Gonchar said the chair is a good substitute for a person who could be hurt by the shots.

Malkin learned that the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed both complaints Wednesday filed by Magnitogorsk against the NHL, the Penguins and Malkin.

Formal dismissal of the complaints had been anticipated since mid-November, when Judge Loretta A. Preska denied Magnitogorsk's request for a temporary injunction that would have prevented Malkin from playing in the NHL. Magnitogorsk opted against appealing that ruling but did not terminate its lawsuits over Malkin leaving the Russian team.

"I feel much better that everything is over," Malkin said through interpreter and Penguins employee George Birman after the morning skate. "The first time we went to court [concerning the injunction], I thought everything was over. But this is a great feeling."

Because Russia did not sign the most recent transfer agreement with the International Ice Hockey Federation, Malkin sneaked away from Magnitogorsk during a trip to Finland last summer, submitted a letter of resignation by fax to Magnitogorsk, then spent two weeks in Los Angeles before signing with the Penguins.

"I don't have any hard feelings. I understand that's part of the business. You've got to do what you've got to do," said Malkin, whose hometown is Magnitogorsk.

"I appreciate everything they did for me. They raised me. I played in the Super League. Now I'm finally playing in the NHL."

Malkin, 20, led all NHL rookies with 53 points in 45 games going into the Penguins' game against Montreal last night.

Crosby, Malkin get seconds

Penguins center and NHL leading scorer Sidney Crosby was named the league's second star for January after he had eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points in 12 games and finished the month with a seven-game points streak.

Ottawa's Dany Heatley (11 goals, 11 assists in 13 games) was the No. 1 star.

Malkin finished second to San Jose's Ryane Clowe for NHL rookie of the month honors for January.

Malkin had six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 12 games. Clowe had 16 points in January.

Another sellout

The game against the Canadiens was the Penguins' ninth sellout in their past 10 home games and their 16th at Mellon Arena this season.

The Penguins helped the NHL set an all-time attendance record for January with an average crowd of 17,075, or 92.3 percent of capacity, at 187 games. The previous January record was an average of 16,795 set last season.

Melichar at morning skate

Defenseman Josef Melichar joined the Penguins for the morning skate, although he was wearing a no-contact sweater.

"It feels great to be out there again with the boys," said Melichar, who has missed eight games after taking a hit to the side of his left knee that caused a strained ligament.

Melichar is wearing a brace when he skates and said the knee is not 100 percent. He does not have a timetable for a return to the lineup.

"I don't know what we're shooting for, but the guys are doing great," he said. "It's fun to watch."

Slap shots

Penguins forward Chris Thorburn was excused for the second consecutive game because of personal reasons. He was their only scratch. ... Montreal scratches were defenseman Janne Niinimaa and forwards Alexander Perezhogin and Aaron Downey. ... Penguins winger Mark Recchi on his 39th birthday yesterday being low key: "That's just the way it is. I'm either playing or getting ready for a game. It's a great time of year, but it's just another day." ... Phil Bourque, Troy Loney and Ken Wregget, all members of the Penguins' Stanley Cup teams, will be among the alumni at the team's annual fantasy hockey camp today and tomorrow at Mellon Arena.