Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin participated in his team’s practice session Wednesday in Cranberry.
One day earlier, he was scratched because of an undisclosed injury for a 4-3 home shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Typically deployed as the team’s second-line center and with the second power-play unit, Malkin skated before practice and during the practice session on Wednesday but did not engage in line rushes or special teams drills.
Coach Mike Sullivan did not indicate if Malkin’s status of “day-to-day” has changed. The Penguins host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
In 41 games this season, Malkin has scored 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) while averaging 18:35 of ice time per contest.
Forward Philip Tomasino also worked out on the ice before practice on Tuesday. Currently designated to injured reserve, he has missed the past two games due to an undisclosed ailment.
His “week-to-week” status has not changed.
Notes:
• The Penguins’ lines and pairings in practice were:
67 Rickard Rakell – 87 Sidney Crosby – 17 Bryan Rust
8 Michael Bunting – 19 Cody Glass – 72 Anthony Beauvillier
10 Drew O’Connor – 13 Kevin Hayes – 18 Jesse Puljujarvi
83 Matt Nieto – 46 Blake Lizotte – 55 Noel Acciari
24 Matt Grzelcyk – 65 Erik Karlsson
28 Marcus Pettersson – 58 Kris Letang
38 Owen Pickering – 73 P.O Joseph
27 Ryan Graves – 5 Ryan Shea
• The first power-play unit included Bunting, Crosby, Karlsson, Rakell and Rust. The second power-play squad involved Glass, Grzelcyk, Hayes, Letang and O’Connor.
