Evgeni Malkin can’t say for sure when he’ll be able to return to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ lineup.
But he did shoot a few pucks on Marc-Andre Fleury this morning, and he didn’t rule out a return sometime during the Pens’ first-round series with the Rangers.
Malkin has not played since March 11 due to an upper-body injury that was expected to keep him sidelined for 6-8 weeks.
Evgeni Malkin says he hopes to skate with Pens tomorrow. Isn't sure on timeline but hopes to return before the end of series.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) April 14, 2016
Malkin shooting on Fleury pic.twitter.com/onXcPci7q2
— Jonathan Bombulie (@BombulieTrib) April 14, 2016
Malkin’s availability in the first round may depend partly on how his teammates are doing versus the Rangers. The Pens took a 1-0 series lead last night, so, for now, the desperation factor is fairly low.
But if the series were to turn against them, Malkin could become extra motivated to get back in there, and the Penguins could become extra motivated to grant his wish.
As for Fleury? He wasn’t sharing any specifics about his status either.
Marc-Andre Fleury says he's hopeful to play Saturday, but describes himself as a "work in progress" coming off concussion.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) April 14, 2016
Game 2 goes Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh (on NBC).