Evgeni Malkin practiced fully with Pittsburgh Penguins teammates in a non-limited capacity at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex Wednesday. Afterward, Malkin expressed optimism he could return to game action Thursday at home against the Detroit Red Wings.
“Obviously, tomorrow if I feel fine I will have good chance to play,” said Malkin, who has not played since March 16 because of an upper-body injury.
A certain 6-foot-3 Russian is on the ice in Cranberry pic.twitter.com/t08nmxEtP2
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Malkin worked with the first-team power play and centered a second line between Phil Kessel and Bryan Rust. Although he was cleared for contact, Malkin emphasized that practice contact is entirely different than a live game.
Coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged that Malkin is making progress in returning from injury but — officially, at least — kept Malkin’s status at “day to day” and as a “game-time decision” for Thursday against Detroit.
The Penguins have yet to clinch a playoff spot with two games remaining in the regular season. The playoffs begin one week from Wednesday.
“I just feel like I want a couple more games before the playoffs to get my confidence back,” said Malkin, who has 21 goals and 71 points in 66 games this season. “I need to feel the game, with the puck. I hope I wake up (Thursday) and I feel great and I am ready to play.”
