Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin misses Game 2 against Islanders

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin remained sidelined for Game 2 of his team’s first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

A presumed right knee injury has kept Malkin out of the lineup, including a 4-3 home overtime loss in Game 1.

He was sidelined for 23 games in the late stages of the regular season but returned for the final four games of the schedule before absorbing a check to his right knee in the regular season finale May 8.

Before participating in Tuesday’s optional morning skate, Malkin worked out on the ice with skills and skating development coach Ty Hennes. On Monday at the team’s facility in Cranberry, Malkin was the final player to leave the ice, about 45 minutes after the conclusion of the formal practice session.

“He’s a world-class player,” Islanders forward Matt Martin said Monday. “Malkin is going to be in this series at some point, but either way, they have a top team in this league and we have to be ready for them regardless of who is out there.”

In 33 games during the regular season, Malkin had 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists).

DeSmith remains out

Backup goaltender Casey DeSmith also remained sidelined for Game 2. He has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury May 3.

Reserve goaltender Maxime Lagace served as backup to starter Tristan Jarry for the second consecutive game.

In 20 games during the regular season, DeSmith had a 11-7-0 record, a 2.54 goals against average, a .912 save percentage and two shutouts.

New look for Matheson

After wearing a full shield for Game 1 to protect a face injury he suffered April 1, defenseman Mike Matheson donned an extended visor that covered less of his face for Game 2.

Matheson was injured when a clearing attempt by Jarry struck him.

“It’s always an adjustment when players have to wear the face shields,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “Just getting used to that, it’s just different. When players have to put the shields on for protection, there’s always an adjustment process. I don’t think it’s significant but certainly, it is an adjustment.”

Crosby up for Clancy

Forward Sidney Crosby was named as the team’s nominee for the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The award recognizes the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”

No Penguins player has ever won this award.

Former Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (Vegas Golden Knights) and forward Jordan Staal (Carolina Hurricanes) also were nominated.

Varlamov back for Isles

The Islanders started goaltender Semyon Varlamov for Game 2 after he sat out Game 1 as a precaution against an undisclosed injury.

During the regular season, Varlamov appeared in 36 games and had a 19-11-4 record along with 2.04 goals against average, a .929 save percentage and a league-leading seven shutouts.

Ilya Sorokin, who made 39 saves in Game 1, served as Varlamov’s backup.

Game notes

Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin was in the lineup for Game 2. On Monday, he was held out of practice for what was termed as a “maintenance day.” … The Penguins recalled forwards Anthony Angello, Kasper Bjorkqvist, Drew O’Connor and defenseman Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. As some of the organization’s top prospects, all four players will join the so-called “Black Aces,” reserves players on the NHL roster during the postseason in the pursuit of furthering their development.