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Pittsburgh Penguins News
Defenseman Kris Letang had surgery last week to treat an elbow infection, and the Penguins expect him to return after the NHL's three-day Christmas break.

Letang has not been placed on the long-term injured reserve list, which would force him to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Letang had a medical procedure to clean an open wound that appeared after the Penguins won at home against New Jersey on Dec. 13. He participated in pregame warm-ups at Detroit the next day but was a late-decision scratch. Letang did not have the surgery to repair a bone break or displacement or ligament damage. He had the procedure only to treat an infection in the wound. Temporary casting is in place to prevent arm movement that could reopen the wound.

Kris Letang
Evgeni Malkin did not travel with the team for its game Wednesday against the New York Rangers and will miss the Penguins' home game Thursday against the Minnesota Wild.

Malkin sustained a lower-body injury Saturday when he fell feet-first into the boards during the Penguins' game at the Detroit Red Wings. He sat out the game Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Evgeni Malkin
Malkin (left leg) did not finish a win Saturday at Detroit. He did not put pressure on the leg while leaving the ice but was limping on it afterward in the locker area. His leg had not been placed in a protective boot. Malkin was to be re-evaluated in Pittsburgh.

Early indications Sunday were that Malkin's injury was minor and to the muscular area, but the Penguins were awaiting results of other tests. Malkin had played in three consecutive games after missing two in a row because of a lower-body injury.

Evgeni Malkin
The Penguins have placed Kris Letang on IR with an upper-body injury.

Letang took part in warmups but was a late scratch for Saturday's game vs. the Red Wings. There was no word on how serious Letang's injury is and he will likely be re-evaluated this week. His placement on IR means he will miss at least one week from Saturday. Monitor his status as the week progresses.

Kris Letang
Letang was vague about his upper-body injury. He absorbed a hit from New Jersey's Tim Sestito on Friday but finished the game. Letang was ruled out shortly before the game Saturday, and he isn't sure if his injury could be a long-term situation.

“We'll see,” Letang said. “I don't know what's going on right now.”

Kris Letang
Malkin crashed into the boards legs first and has been helped to the dressing room in Saturday's win over the Red Wings.

Malkin walked with a slight limp in the locker room following the game. “He has a lower-body injury,” coach Dan Bylsma said. “He was walking around after the game, but he'll get further evaluated (Sunday).”

Evgeni Malkin
Malkin (lower-body) is taking part in the Penguins gameday skate.

Malkin is listed as questionable for tonight's meeting with the Blue Jackets, but it appears he is going to test out the lower-body injury in the morning skate. He has missed the last two games after being injured in the morning skate prior to Thursday's contest vs. the Sharks. His return to the lineup would be huge, as James Neal is likely going to be suspended for his actions on Saturday. Monitor Malkin's status following the morning skate.

Evgeni Malkin
Minnesota Wild rookie Matt Dumba has been invited to Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp for the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship. He is one 25 players invited to the camp.

Dumba is the only NHL player on Team Canada's World Junior roster and he has been loaned to the team by the Wild. Dumba has been invited to Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp for the last two seasons, and was the final cut both years, that won't happen this year...

Matt Dumba
Malkin is on the ice for Penguins morning skate.

Malkin was given a maintenance day on Tuesday, but was fully expected to suit up tonight. It appears that he will dress and skate with James Neal and Pascal Dupuis vs. Washington. Malkin has only three goals this season but his 17 assists is fourth in the NHL. He has 10 assists in his last eight games.

Evgeni Malkin
Dumba in; Nate Prosser out.

Dumba was scratched in six of the past seven games. Prosser has played well, but the Wild needs to give a 19-year-old a chance to play or it’ll need to eventually make the decision if it needs to return him to Red Deer despite already hitting that 10-game mark to trigger the first of his three-year deal.

Matt Dumba