The Penguins skate tonight in Anaheim against the Ducks, and number 71 might be on the ice with them.
Coach Mike Sullivan said yesterday for the first time that Evgeni Malkin will be a “game-time decision” as the superstar center strives to return after having had right knee surgery in June.
Sullivan says Malkin has “checked off all of the boxes” to return.
Malkin worked on the second line yesterday with Kasperi Kapanen and Jeff Carter on his wings. Carter slides to the wing after playing center all season long. Malkin and Kapanen were a dynamic duo playing together last season before Malkin injured the knee on March 16th. Sullivan is looking to rekindle that chemistry as he reworks his lines.
As for Jeff Carter, he came over from the L.A. Kings last season and ended up playing center, but he’s played both center and wing in his long NHL career, and Sullivan isn’t worried about the transition.
Kapanen is eager for Malkin to return, after the two clicked so well last season.
Kapanen says Malkin is important to the Penguins both on the ice and in the locker room.
With Bryan Rust still in covid protocols, Evan Rodrigues joined Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel on the first line at practice yesterday. Malkin skated on the number one power play unit with Crosby, Guentzel, Rodrigues, and Kris Letang.
The Penguins recalled forwards Radim Zahorna and Anthony Angello to the practice squad and transferred Drew O’Connor from the covid list to Wilkes Barre-Scranton.
Goaltender Casey DeSmith was added to the covid list, where he joins Rust and Brock McGinn.
Faceoff in Anaheim tonight is shortly after 10 PM. The pregame begins at 9 on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel.
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