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Pittsburgh Penguins News
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang reportedly sustained a broken toe on Tuesday in his team's victory over the Montreal Canadiens at Consol Energy Center.

Letang was taken off the injured reserve list Tuesday afternoon after missing four games because of a lower-body injury. He logged more than 24 minutes in Pittsburgh's 1-0 win, its 13th in a row, but told RDS after the game that he was not 100 percent after the first period. According to TSN, the reason he wasn't at full strength was because he has sustained a broken toe. If the Penguins opt to put Letang back on injured reserve, Simon Despres would be his likely replacement in the lineup.

Kris Letang
Kris Letang has been activated from IR.

Simon Despres has been sent down in order to clear space for Letang to come off of IR. Despres was in the lineup for the Penguins last game and Douglas Murray will not play tonight, so all signs point to Letang returning to the Pens blueline tonight.

Kris Letang
Bylsma said Malkin and Letang are "very close." Didn't rule them out tonight but didn't indicate they'll play. Game-time decision

Letang practiced on the Penguins first power-play unit this morning. He is more likely to play than Malkin is, monitor his status prior to puck-drop to see if he will be in the lineup.

Kris Letang
Letang will NOT play vs #Isles tonight. Still day-to-day per coach Bylsma #Pens

Letang will miss his second straight game with a groin injury. The Penguins will be without Letang and Malkin tonight vs. the Islanders. They play the Flyers on Sunday. Monitor Letang's status for Sunday's contest.

Kris Letang
Malkin will NOT play vs #Isles tonight. Still day-to-day per coach Bylsma #Pens

There was speculation earlier in the week that Malkin would be back tonight. He practiced this morning but just filled in for Matt Cooke and did not participate in power-play drills. The Penguins next game is on Sunday. Monitor Malkin's status prior to Sunday's contest.

Evgeni Malkin
Malkin still isn’t sure if he can play Friday.

Malkin described himself Wednesday as “not 100 percent” and attempted to lower expectations for a return Friday at the New York Islanders. Malkin has missed the last six games. He has played in only three of the Penguins' previous 13 games. They are 11-2-0 over that stretch but only 7 for 31 (22.6 percent) on the power play without Malkin in the lineup. Malkin is considered day to day, coach Dan Bylsma said.

Evgeni Malkin