The Pittsburgh Penguins are nearing the return of one of their key players, Evgeni Malkin, after he missed over a month due to an upper-body injury. Malkin, 39, participated in a full practice on Tuesday for the first time since being placed on injured reserve on December 9. The seasoned center, who has been out for 15 games, revealed his injury was related to his shoulder. His last appearance was on December 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he scored two goals and earned three points. This season, Malkin has tallied eight goals and 29 points in 26 games.
Malkin described the difficulty in managing his injury, stating that although he feels no pain immediately after playing, his shoulder feels immobile the next morning. His return is expected to bolster a Penguins squad that has been on a five-game winning streak since the holiday break. Before the injuries disrupted the lineup, Malkin was playing alongside Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha with considerable success. Meanwhile, Tommy Novak leads the second line, with Malkin providing support. The coaching staff will have some challenging decisions to make regarding the lineup once Malkin is back.
Head coach Dan Muse commented positively on Malkin’s progress, noting he looked good in practice and would continue to be evaluated before a full return. Although Malkin is eager to play this week, no specific timeline has been given. The Penguins’ next game is against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
In other team news, forward Rutger McGroarty left practice after a collision, receiving treatment and not returning. Muse did not provide an update on McGroarty’s condition. McGroarty has played 16 games this season, scoring two goals and accumulating three points.
Tuesday’s practice was optional due to the absence of notable players including Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Egor Chinakhov, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang. Additionally, rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke faces an important decision regarding his playing status due to contract considerations and roster limits. Brunicke recently returned from helping Canada win a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships but has not played in the AHL this season.
There are also rumors about a potential trade involving a big Penguins winger, adding more intrigue to the team’s ongoing season developments.
Fan Take: The imminent return of Evgeni Malkin is a huge boost for the Penguins and their fans, signaling a potential shift in momentum for the team as they push toward the playoffs. For hockey enthusiasts, seeing a veteran like Malkin back at full strength can reignite excitement and showcase the blend of experience and talent vital to the sport’s competitive spirit.
