PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins heart Evgeni Malkin practiced on Wednesday, indicating he’s close to a return from a lower-body damage that is stored him out since mid-March.
Malkin wore a white “no contact” jersey throughout Pittsburgh’s skate, however coach Mike Sullivan mentioned the Russian star was a full participant and can journey with the Penguins after they start a four-game street journey on Thursday in Washington.
Malkin hasn’t performed since March 16, although Pittsburgh has fared properly with out him. The Penguins are 14-5-2 throughout Malkin’s prolonged absence and are in a good four-team race with Washington, Boston and the New York Islanders for the East Division title. The groups are separated by six factors with lower than two weeks left within the common season.
Malkin has eight targets and 16 assists in 29 video games this season and was enjoying properly earlier than getting harm in a loss to Boston on March 16.
“I believe [Malkin and I] had some good chemistry occurring once we have been each enjoying,” Penguins ahead Kasperi Kapanen mentioned Wednesday. “Very excited for him to come back again. Hope it is quickly.”
Sullivan usually likes to have injured gamers take part in at the very least one if not a number of full-contact practices earlier than returning to play. Pittsburgh is scheduled to have a follow on Friday in Washington however will not achieve this once more till Might 7.
The staff’s four-game street swing begins with video games in opposition to the first-place Capitals on Thursday and Saturday and wraps up with a back-to-back set in Philadelphia subsequent Monday and Tuesday. The Penguins end the common season by internet hosting Buffalo on Might 6 and Might eight.