Only six games remain on the Penguins regular season schedule: two in Washington, starting tonight, two in Philadelphia, and two at home against Buffalo next weekend.
The Penguins are second in the NHL East, a point behind the Capitals, four ahead of the Islanders, and five ahead of Boston, and the team could be getting some weaponry back in time for the final stretch run, as Evgeni Malkin skated yesterday in practice yesterday in a black full-contact jersey, signaling his imminent return to the lineup. In fact, coach Mike Sullivan said Malkin and injured forwards Frederick Gaudreau and Brandon Tanev will be with the team on the road trip. Gaudreau also had a black jersey on yesterday, while Tanev skated with the taxi squad.
Sullivan says that when Malkin is ready to play, he will have some decisions to make on the power play because that unit is playing well with Jared McCann in Malkin’s place.
While the Penguins have been playing without Malkin, the Capitals have been missing superstar Alexander Ovechkin for the last two games. He has only missed 18 games in his 17 years in the NHL and has never missed a game against the Penguins. Sullivan says the Penguins are prepared if Ovie is back tonight.
Sullivan says the game will be intense and the Pens had better be ready.
While so many have been focused on Malkin’s return, Sullivan says Freddie Gaudreau has been a real shot in the arm for the Penguins since joining the franchise on a minor league deal, and he has a place in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins have petitioned the state of Pennsylvania to permit more fans at PPG Paints Arena by allowing “vaccinated-only” seating sections, but Governor Tom Wolf seems doubtful. Wolf said yesterday that the CDC’s covid guidelines indicate that “…you’ve still got to be careful, even if you’ve been vaccinated, and even if you’re in the outdoors, if you’re at a crowded event.” The Pens are currently allowed 25 percent of the arena’s capacity, but that’s including all people in the building. It works out to about 4.672 fans.
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