Evgeni Malkin still believes the Penguins are a playoff team

Evgeni Malkin practiced Tuesday.

Typically, that is a mundane occasion.

But Malkin’s participation in the Pittsburgh Penguins practice Tuesday in Cranberry was notable for two reasons.

That’s to say he skipped the team’s two previous practices Monday and Thursday for what were termed as “maintenance” days.

The portion of Malkin’s anatomy that requires maintenance is a mystery. He was asked twice what, if anything, was ailing him after Tuesday’s practice and professed he was hale and hearty.

“All good,” Malkin said. “Nothing wrong. Skate today. Hope to play (Wednesday). I’m ready to play.

“Again, everything is good. Nothing hurts. Don’t worry.”

Fair enough. But there has been plenty of worry about over the plight of the Penguins, who have done little to suggest they are a threat to secure a playoff spot with 33 games remaining in the regular season.

After two hard-fought but unappetizing road losses to the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets on Friday and Saturday, respectively, the Penguins (23-19-7, 53 points) are seventh in the Metropolitan Division standings and sixth in the Eastern Conference’s wild-card race.

Still, even with a daunting challenge Wednesday against the talented Florida Panthers at PPG Paints Arena, Malkin is bullish on his team’s hopes.

“I believe (in) this team,” Malkin said. “I believe we can win (against) any team. A hard game (Wednesday) for sure against Florida. We know they play hard.

“It’s a hard league. We have to (be) focused the full 60 minutes.”

At 37, it’s difficult to not direct some focus on Malkin’s well-being, especially after he has skipped recent practices for some kind of health-related “maintenance.”

With 41 points (16 goals, 25 assists) in 49 games, Malkin isn’t producing at a rate that made him a two-time scoring champion earlier in his career.

Then again, he was 22 when he won his first Art Ross Trophy with 113 points (35 goals, 78 assists) in 82 games during the 2008-09 campaign.

“I’m not (playing) like 15 years ago,” Malkin said. “It’s not the same game. I want to try to change a little bit. I’m not flying like before. I try to a little bit smarten my game. I want a better power play, help the team, of course, to score every game. Do my best. … Of course, I want to score every game, but it’s not easy right now.”

Malkin has been encouraged to make alterations to his game based on where he is physically as a late 30-something.

“He’s still an elite player in this league,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He still has the ability to drive a lot of offense. We certainly want him to continue that aspect. But he’s played a lot of games in this league. He has a lot of experience. It’s important that he use that experience to play a more efficient game and make it easier on himself. And a lot of that is just understanding what the scheme is and working collectively with the four other (teammates) on the ice so there’s collective effort so that he’s not just taking the puck and doing his thing as a one-man band, so to speak.

“He’s capable of that at times, but I think he’s also capable of playing within the framework of the team concept. When he does that, he doesn’t chase the game as much. The game comes to him, then he has the ability to act on his talent.”

That talent was on display during Friday’s 3-2 road loss to the Wild. Malkin generated the Penguins’ opening goal by jumping on a neutral-zone turnover, roaring into the offensive zone on the left wing and setting up linemate Reilly Smith with a cross-ice pass.

BIG MAC TIME THANKS TO REILLY SMITH! ????

Here's how to cash in your @McDonalds offer: https://t.co/QH7j1DPz1i pic.twitter.com/nttBS4uttN

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 10, 2024

“I learned whenever (Malkin) has the puck over the offensive blue line, he’s really good at finding open ice and seams,” said Smith, who joined the Penguins via trade this past offseason. “I was just ready for the puck to come through, and he caught (the Wild) off guard.

“The most important thing I’ve found with him is to just try to make yourself available because the puck could be coming at any time.”

Time is running out for the Penguins to make a substantial charge to reach the postseason.

But not hope. At least from Malkin.

“We still have chances,” Malkin said. “Season (is) not over yet. (Thirty-three) games left. If we win most (of those) games, it’s a good chance to make playoffs. Now, we focused on every game. We’re focused (Wednesday). Two points. Huge game against a great team. Again, we believe (in) this group, we believe we (will) make playoffs. Myself, I believe (in) teammates.

“It’s (a) tough season, for sure. We’re not happy (with) where we at. But, again, we still have chances. (Thirty-three) games left, (66) points.”

Notes: The Penguins placed forward Noel Acciari on injured reserve Tuesday. He has missed the past two games because of a concussion. … Acciari and linemate Jansen Harkins, also sidelined with a concussion, skated before practice. … With Acciari and Harkins on injured reserve, the Penguins only have 11 healthy forwards on their roster. On Monday, Sullivan indicated the team would see how things progress leading up to Wednesday’s game before any potential recalls would be made. At the moment, the Penguins only have $175,000 of salary cap space, according to Cap Friendly, well below what would be required for any potential recall. … Defenseman Kris Letang, who left Monday’s practice early as a precaution, was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice.