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The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin celebrates his goal in the first period against the Coyotes Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. On Sunday, he posted a photo on Instagram showing his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Evgeni Malkin has apparently joined Alex Ovechkin's 'Putin Team'

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Evgeni Malkin has apparently joined Alex Ovechkin's 'Putin Team'

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.

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Putin team. Я в команде @aleksandrovechkinofficial

A post shared by Evgeni Malkin (@e.malkin71geno) on Nov 12, 2017 at 8:38am PST

The English portion of the caption says “Putin team” and links to the Capitals captain’s Instagram account.

Phil Kessel celebrates a goal with linemate Evgeni Malkin earlier this season. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
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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.”

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Личные награды и призы – все это здорово, но в хоккее, как и в любом деле, для победы важнее команда. Только команда способна переломить ход игры, сделать невозможное. В последнее время в западной прессе я встречаю сочетание Putin’s team, то есть команда Путина. И знаете, мне очень понравилось это определение. Лично я готов быть частью такой команды. Я никогда не скрывал своего отношения к нашему Президенту, всегда открыто его поддерживая. Я уверен, что нас, поддерживающих Владимира Путина, много! Так давайте объединимся и покажем всем сильную и сплоченную Россию! Сегодня я хочу объявить о том, что создаю общественное движение под названием Putin Team. Быть частью такой команды – для меня гордость, это похоже на ощущение, когда ты надеваешь майку сборной России, зная, что за тебя болеет вся страна. #putinteam

A post shared by Alexander Ovechkin (@aleksandrovechkinofficial) on Nov 2, 2017 at 9:07am PDT

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.

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The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin celebrates his goal in the first period against the Coyotes Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. On Sunday, he posted a photo on Instagram showing his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.  (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
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