Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin play for rival NHL clubs, but it appears they’re cut from the same political cloth.
Or they’re at least similarly motivated to support the president of their home country.
Malkin posted a photo on Instagram (@e.malkin71geno) Sunday of him standing next to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two of them wearing Russian hockey jerseys. As of 2 p.m., it had more than 33,000 likes and over 600 comments.
The English portion of the caption says “Putin team” and links to the Capitals captain’s Instagram account.
On Nov. 2, using that Instagram account, Ovechkin announced a social movement in support of Putin that he’s calling “Putin Team,” a group that apparently Malkin supports.
The Washington Post translated Ovechkin’s post to read: “Lately, in the Western Press, I’m noticing a comparison to Putin’s team. And you know, I really liked that comparison. Personally, I’m ready to be a member of that team. I never hid my relationship with our president, always openly supported him.
“I’m certain that there are many of us that support Vladimir Putin. Let’s unite and show everyone a strong and united Russia. Today, I want to announce a social movement in the name of Putin Team. Be a part of this team – to me it’s a privilege, it’s like the feeling of when you put on the jersey of the Russian team, knowing that the whole country is rooting for you.”
This is not the first foray into politics for the Penguins this season, although it is their first outside of the American realm.
They visited the White House on Oct. 10, a move they insisted was apolitical. Before making the trip, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan remarked that he had discussed politics more around the rink in the preceding weeks than during his entire career until that point.
It looks like that may continue, although the Penguins are off Sunday. They resume practice Monday at PPG Paints Arena. Afterward, it’s likely Malkin will get asked his reasoning behind the Instagram post.
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: November 12, 2017, 7:15 p.m.