Evgeni Malkin did not necessarily have the most direct relationship with Mike Lange, at least not like other franchise pillars such as Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr or Sidney Crosby. But he is certainly aware of Lange’s seismic importance to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

LISTEN-NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman joined the PM Team, his thoughts on Sidney Crosby and Mike Lange’s impact on the league, plus 4 Nations talk

While Saturday was an afternoon puck drop, it still felt like “A Hockey Night in Pittsburgh” as the Penguins community celebrated the life and legacy of Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Lange, who died on Wednesday.

Tributes and memories of the longtime Pittsburgh Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange are pouring following the news of his death at the age of 76. Lange died on Wednesday and within minutes of the news breaking of his death, tributes and memories were being shared across social media.

Soon after their after their late-morning practice, Pittsburgh Penguins players spoke warmly and reverently about Mike Lange, the team's play-by-play announcer who died this week. He logged 46 years in the broadcast booth as the voice of the Penguins, regarded as part of the teams' fabric and the city as a whole.

After a day off on Thursday, Pittsburgh Penguins players took to the ice Friday for practice with full attendance.

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