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Dan Bylsma: Evgeni Malkin isn’t ‘ready to go’ against Rangers tonight

Evgeni Malkin

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin heads back to the bench in the second period against the Boston Bruins in an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh on Monday, Jan. 10, 2011. The Bruins won 4-2. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

AP

We discussed the fact that Evgeni Malkin practiced but Sidney Crosby did not on Monday, but it appears that the Pittsburgh Penguins must play without both of their stars against the New York Rangers tonight.

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said that Malkin won’t play in tonight’s game thanks to the lingering effects of a sinus infection (the team’s excuse for holding him out of the 2011 NHL All-Star Game), according to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

It’s difficult to avoid some skepticism regarding what is actually bothering Malkin. The talented center missed a few games in December because of knee problems, but the team claims that a sinus infection is the problem this time around. Malkin probably benefits from some rest either way, but he said that his knee feels “100 percent” and he hasn’t been skating with a knee brace.

The Penguins have a quick turnaround this week, as they’ll face the New York Islanders on Wednesday. We’ll let you know if Malkin is able to play in that one.