Penguins finalize and reveal Evgeni Malkin's status for tonight's game

Evgeni Malkin will lace up for the Penguins on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils, making his return after missing 15 games due to an upper-body injury. Prior to his time on the shelf, Malkin was cooking.

With his return, he'll slide to the wing, freeing Ben Kindel to center the Penguins' second line with Egor Chinakhov. Pittsburgh is arriving on a long rest following a 5-4 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.

The Penguins are hoping to stretch their win streak to six games when the Devils roll into town, a team that's been scrambling after a 9-0 drubbing by the Islanders and has dropped six of its last eight.

New Jersey sits three points back of Pittsburgh for the final playoff berth and remains the only Metropolitan Division club the Penguins haven't defeated this season.

Even with New Jersey misfiring, Pittsburgh can't afford to overlook their opponents' firepower with Jack Hughes tallying 11 goals and 24 points in 25 games, Jesper Bratt leading the Devils at 33 points, and Nico Hischier right there with 32. Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier add more dangerous scoring threats.

Malkin has continued to skate all week with Kindel and Chinakhov and seems prepared to jump in and make a difference immediately.

It's a huge boost for the Penguins, who are looking to stay afloat in the playoff race and finally figure out a Devils team that has given them fits so far this season.

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