The Pittsburgh Penguins will remain without forward Evgeni Malkin for the weekend while the star recovers from an injury.
Malkin has been out of the lineup for the Penguins since Feb. 2 after suffering a lower body injury. According to ESPN, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said that Malkin is expected to miss "at least" the next two games but potentially could return next week. The Penguins play against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday and the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, but Malkin will not be ready to play in either of those games.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Malkin has made some progress while being able to skate on his own, but he has not joined the team in practice since the injury. Sullivan said that Malkin will not be able to get back into the lineup until he gets some practice time with the team. Sullivan said that the team has "not made the decision yet for him to join the team in practice" and that will be the "next step for" Malkin as he recovers.
Malkin has missed seven straight games for the Penguins, but the team has not suffered too much with him out. The Penguins have won four of the seven games that Malkin has been out for, and over the last 12 games the team has gone 9-1-2 overall. Malkin has been one of the most productive players in the league this season, putting up 49 points in 49 games played for the Penguins.
The Penguins are battling for playoff position in the Eastern Conference, and they are currently tied with the Lightning with 66 points in the standings.
