The Pittsburgh Penguins have been without Evgeni Malkin for over two weeks, but the star forward could be returning to action for the team very soon.
Malkin has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since earlier in the month, but he is making progress in his recovery. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said that Malkin has been skating on his own and he potentially could return to the team this week. Sullivan described Malkin as "day-to-day" with his injury, and that he will need to practice with the team before getting back into the starting lineup.
Malkin was ruled out against the Tampa Bay Lightning game on Saturday and also missed the game against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. Malkin has missed nine straight games for the team, and his first chance to return this week will be on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. The team has a break after that until Saturday, when they will play against the Winnipeg Jets.
Malkin should get the chance to test out his body this week, and Sullivan said that the team will make a decision based on how Malkin is feeling. Malkin has not played in a game since Feb. 2 after suffering an injury. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the team will practice on Tuesday, and if Malkin is able to participate, he could play on Wednesday against Boston.
The Penguins have not struggled much with Malkin out of the lineup, winning three of the last five games. Malkin has been one of the most productive players in the league while healthy, as he has 49 points in 49 games played this season.
