Seven players scored at least 100 points in both 2005-06 and 2006-07, the first two post-lockout seasons in which rule changes sparked a scoring surge. The total slipped to two last season, when Washington star Alexander Ovechkin (65-47-112) and Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin (47-59-106) topped the points leader board.

Malkin made it two consecutive seasons Tuesday night, as he surpassed the 100-point plateau by tallying two goals and three assists in a 6-2 rout of Atlanta. He matched a career high with five points and pushed his totals to 32 goals and 102 points on the season. Malkin is 10 points in front of teammate Sidney Crosby in the NHL scoring race, and Ovechkin trails by 12.

Not only did Malkin become the 17th player to score 100 points in a season since the lockout, he also gave the Penguins a 100-point man in each of the four post-lockout campaigns.

Penguins’ 100-Point Scorers since 2005-06

Yr. . . . . . . . Player. . . . . . . . . G. . . . . . . A. . . . . . . Pt
2005-06. . .Sidney Crosby. . . . . .39. . . . . . .63. . . . . . 102
2006-07. . .Sidney Crosby. . . . . .36. . . . . . .84. . . . . . 120
2007-08. . .Evgeni Malkin. . . . . . 47. . . . . . .59. .. . . . .106
2008-09. . .Evgeni Malkin. . . . . . 32. . . . . . .70. . . . . . 102

With 27 goals and 92 points, Crosby could join the 100-point club with eight in the Penguins’ final 10 games. Odds appear to be in his favor, as the 21-year-old center has been on a scoring tear over the last month. In his last 11 games, dating to Feb. 16, Crosby has six goals and 14 assists. Pittsburgh is 11-1-3 in this stretch, even with Crosby missing four games with a groin injury.

No other Penguin has half as many points as Malkin’s 102, or even Crosby’s 92. As elite scorers, Malkin and Crosby follow in the grand tradition of Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. It’s been nearly 17 years since Lemieux led the Pens to their second of consecutive Stanley Cup championships, and Malkin and Crosby must lead the way if the Cup is to return to Pittsburgh any time soon.