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Q: With Marc-Andre Fleury's success this year in shootouts, I was wondering what his statistics were in past seasons. Weren't they quite a bit lower than this year's?

Ray Reed, Pickerington, Ohio

MOLINARI: Fleury did struggle early in his career with shootouts, which were introduced to the NHL in the 2005-06 season, but since has become pretty proficient at stopping shooters during them.

And he has been virtually unbeatable in 2009-10. Before the Penguins' game last night against New Jersey at Mellon Arena, Fleury had stopped 12 of the 13 breakaways he faced during shootouts this season. That's a success rate of 92.3 percent.

His numbers (saves/attempts) from previous seasons:

2008-09 -- 16-22.

2007-08 -- 3-3.

2006-07 -- 2-5.

2005-06 -- 1-5.

One thing that might be easy to overlook: Fleury has, based on statistics, been only the Penguins' second-best goalie in shootouts this season. Brent Johnson was 6-for-6 before the Devils game.

Q: Evgeni Malkin is taking more penalties this season than he usually does. Several seem to occur when he's reaching for the puck, or not moving his feet enough. Have you heard anything about an undisclosed injury? How's Malkin's conditioning this year?

Rico, Hollywood, Calif.

MOLINARI: If the Post-Gazette had any credible information about Malkin being injured (aside from the strained shoulder that caused him to miss seven games earlier this season), it would be reported in the newspaper, and there's nothing to suggest that his conditioning is an issue.

He definitely has been guilty of an inordinate number of penalties lately, however. In fact, before the Penguins faced New Jersey, Malkin had a streak of three consecutive games during which he picked up a pair of minors in the span of just a few minutes.

The run began a week ago, when Malkin picked up minors for tripping (11:37) and holding (14:15) during the first period of the Penguins' 6-1 victory against Philadelphia at Mellon Arena.

During the rematch two nights later in Philadelphia, he was called for tripping at 1:51 of the second period, and hooking at 6:15.

Then, during the third period Saturday in Buffalo, Malkin was sent off twice early in the third period, going for tripping at 1:49 and interference at 3:52.

Some of those penalties have been assessed in the offensive zone, where it is particularly difficult to justify them, and frustration looks as if it could have been a factor in at least a few. It's understandable if Malkin believes he's capable of elevating his play, but lapses in discipline and poor decision-making are no way to offset disappointment with his performance.

While there's every reason to believe Malkin will get his game back fully in sync at some point, it will be a lot easier for him to do that if he's on the ice instead of in the penalty box.

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