Malkin missed Monday's practice due to an illness and is considered a game-time decision Tuesday as the Penguins take on the Blue Jackets. The 36-year-old star has eight goals, 16 assists and 81 SOG through 25 games this season.
Malkin has spent his entire 16-year career in Pittsburgh, totalling 1146 points (444G / 702A) in 981 games. At 36 years old, Malkin is still one of the NHL's best points-per-game players but injuries remain a huge issue for the Russian centre. In the last three seasons, Malkin has missed a combined 78 games (37.7% of the games) but was 17th in the NHL in points-per-game (1.12) over that span.
Malkin was suspended for cross-checking Mark Borowiecki on April 10th and missed the last four games, where the Penguins went 2-1-1. He was back on the second line in Friday's practice and will play Saturday against the Red Wings. Since making his season debut on January 11th, Malkin has been a point-per-game player, scoring 17 goals with 20 assists (37 points) in 37 games.
Malkin is not eligible to play again until April 23rd in Detroit. Look for Jeff Carter to move up to centre the second line in Malkin's absence.
It's unclear why Malkin is not on the ice, he was present for the morning skate and was expected to play in New York. Jeff Carter would likely move up the lineup to replace Malkin.
Malkin practiced on Friday and Saturday and is expected to play Sunday in New Jersey. He's officially listed as a game-time decision, so monitor his status as the Penguins hit the ice for warmups.
Malkin will miss at least two games after being added to the COVID-19 protocol list. He will be eligible to be activated for Sunday's game in New Jersey. Jeff Carter will likely shift to the No.2 centre while Malkin is out.
Malkin has not played this season but has been practicing regularly for a while. This is the first time that he's been listed as a game-time decision, which is a good sign that he'll be available in Anaheim. Malkin skated on the second line with Jeff Carter and Kasperi Kapanen and PP1 in Monday's practice session.
Malkin continues to practice with the team but the Penguins are taking a cautious approach to returning him to the lineup. His next chance to return is Tuesday in Anaheim.
Malkin continues to practice and is nearing his season debut but it will not be Wednesday vs. the Blues. With Jeff Carter also still out, expect Evan Rodrigues to centre the second line again.
Malkin took part in Monday's morning skate in a non-contact jersey, the first time he's skated with the team since undergoing knee surgery in July. Malkin was expected to miss the first two months of the season, so it appears he's on track to return in the middle of December.
Malkin underwent surgery on his right knee and will miss at least the first two months of the 2021-22 season. Malkin will likely end up missing roughly 20-to-25 games. His draft stock will take a hit but he's still worth a mid-to-late round pick for his point-per-game production from December on.
Unlike the first two games, Malkin took part in line rushes and power-play work during the morning skate, so it looks like he will play in Game 3 vs. the Islanders. Malkin was on PP1 and centred the second line with Jason Zucker and Kasperi Kapanen on his wings.
Malkin missed Game 1 and will be a game-time decision for Game 2. Malkin did not take part in line rushes during Monday's practice, so it doesn't appear as if he will play but keep an eye on his status as the Penguins hit the ice for warmups at 7:00 PM ET.
