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Dan Muse updates Evgeni Malkin's status for tonight's game vs. Devils
Photo credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Penguins head coach Dan Muse revealed that all signs are pointing to Evgeni Malkin returning to action tonight, but it's all based on one final element.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are holding onto a Wild Card position in a crowded Eastern Conference, bucking early-season rhetoric of an inevitable slide into the draft lottery.
With injured superstar Evgeni Malkin out for over a month with an upper-body injury, this veteran-laden crew is pushing for a run into the playoffs.
What Evgeni Malkin was seen doing this week that sparked optimism
Malkin practiced fully on Tuesday and was slotted into the forward pairings on Wednesday as the Penguins prepared to face off against the New Jersey Devils.
On Thursday, coach Dan Muse added that all signs were pointing to him going in tonight after a 15-game layoff, but that they were still working out some final details with the medical staff. The Penguins will be starting Stuart Skinner in goal.
"All things are pointing to Evgeni Malkin returning tonight."
- Dan Muse
- Dan Muse
Before getting hurt, Malkin had been brilliant, totaling 29 points in 26 games at age 39. With his contract expiring after this season, this could be one of his last appearances in Pittsburgh.
Why there's a good chance Evgeni Malkin remains in Pittsburgh all season
Yet general manager Kyle Dubas has made it clear the Penguins won't be sellers at the trade deadline if the playoff push remains alive.
The Penguins have made several moves this season, including trading Tristan Jarry for Skinner while adding Brett Kulak and a second-round pick and shipping Danton Heinen and two draft picks to Columbus for Egor Chinakhov. Those deals underline the Penguins' focus on contending, not rebuilding.
The Penguins head into Thursday night's game in New Jersey looking to take advantage of a Devils club that's struggled, and Malkin's return represents a significant lift for a team still jockeying for postseason positioning.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman back on the ice at practice after 33-game absence
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman back on the ice at practice after 33-game absence
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 8 | 68 ANSWERS Dan Muse updates Evgeni Malkin's status for tonight's game vs. Devils Will Evgeni Malkin return tonight? | ||
| Yes | 61 | 89.7 % |
| No | 7 | 10.3 % |
| List of polls | ||