Mark Madden: Penguins will put Evgeni Malkin on top power play, but they shouldn't

Before Evgeni Malkin got hurt, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ power play scored 15 times on 84 opportunities. That’s a conversion percentage of 17.8.

With Malkin out, the power play is 16 for 50. That’s a percentage of 32.0.

When Malkin rejoins the lineup, should he go back on the No. 1 power play?

Before discussion ensues, here are two disclaimers:

• Malkin is one of the top players in Penguins history and worthy of all the acclaim that merits. The Stanley Cups in 2009, ’16 and ’17 would not have been won without him.

• The Penguins’ championship window may not be gaping but does look to be open.

Decisions should be made with the latter in mind, not the former.

To hoist the franchise’s sixth Cup, what used to be doesn’t matter. Only what is. The Penguins are good, but not quite in a class with Colorado, Tampa Bay or Vegas. They’re walking a fine line. Respect can’t be injudiciously indulged. Every edge must be maximized.

The top power play is better without Malkin and should be left like it is until it sputters.

Jared McCann adds a very basic component: He shoots.

In 19 games since joining the No. 1 PP, McCann has six power-play goals and three assists with the extra skater. In 29 games, Malkin had four goals and three assists on the power play.

McCann leads the Penguins with seven power-play goals. But the gap in man-advantage production between McCann and Malkin this season is hardly overwhelming.

The real difference on the power play is Sidney Crosby playing on the right half-wall.

When Malkin is available, Crosby accommodates Malkin by playing down low and letting Malkin operate at the right half-wall. But Crosby also prefers the latter spot. Make no mistake, it’s his for the asking. Malkin is below one player on the pecking order, and it’s Crosby.

In Malkin’s absence, Crosby is on the right half-wall and he is sizzling.

Malkin does one thing better than Crosby from that position: shoot one-timers. Crosby does everything else in superior fashion, especially distribute.

Crosby’s acumen on the right half-wall makes the power play organized and smooth. He’s the quarterback/reset point. Before, there really wasn’t one.

Crosby needs to stay on the right half-wall. Perhaps he should have been there all along.

If Malkin goes there, Crosby moves down low and McCann exits, it’s easy to see the top power play shooting less, complicating more and not scoring as much — like it had been.

Power plays tend to be a reward for players perceived to be stars, as opposed to those who fit together best. The Penguins need to ditch the former and embrace the latter.

They won’t. The minute Malkin is available, he goes back on the No. 1 power play. That’s because he’s Malkin, he’s done so much for this team, respect and blah, blah, blah.

It will be a shame. The power play is producing and seizing momentum when it doesn’t. It’s what a power play is supposed to be.

But coach Mike Sullivan won’t “disrespect” Malkin — even though this decision should be about maximizing the chance to win and have nothing to do with respect.

A compromise might be to leave Crosby on the right half-wall but put Malkin someplace else on the top unit. That also has zero chance of happening.

The Penguins could put together a good second power play featuring Malkin, Jeff Carter, Kasperi Kapanen, John Marino and Mike Matheson. But that quintet would get too much ice by way of trying to placate Malkin. Malkin can’t be allowed to know an unpleasant moment.

That’s not because of any demands by Malkin, or pouting. He’s not like that. It’s because of respect. (There’s that word again.) It’s also because the franchise always has tried to make Malkin feel equal to Crosby, even though that’s an absurd concept. It’s not even close. Not one person outside Pittsburgh sees Malkin as being in the same class as Crosby.

Malkin goes back on the top power play as soon as he returns. That’s not what should happen. But that’s the reality.