Injured Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen participated in Tuesday’s morning skate at PPG Paints Arena.
They wore white “no-contact” jerseys and were not involved in line rushes.
Their presence represented a significant step forward in their recoveries from undisclosed injuries that have sidelined them for several weeks.
“It’s real encouraging from our standpoint that they’re joining the team in practice,” coach Mike Sullivan said via video conference. “It’s an essential part of the return to play is getting these guys around their teammates. And also getting them in a read-and-react environment where they’ve got to make plays spontaneously, they’ve got to deal with belligerence, the pushing and shoving in the battle areas. That’s such an essential element of the game. We’ve got to get these guys more and more in (scenarios similar to game conditions). It’s an important aspect of the return to play. That’s part of the thought process. It’s real encouraging that these guys are on the ice with us.”
Sullivan added the team has “ballpark” estimates for when they might return to the lineup during the Penguins’ final 11 games of the regular season but did not offer specifics.
Malkin has not played since March 16 because of a suspected right knee injury. He is on long-term injured reserve.
Kapanen has been sidelined since March 24 because of a suspected left leg injury and is designated to injured reserve.
Forward Brandon Tanev is also on injured reserve because of an undisclosed ailment. Sidelined since April 3, he is not expected to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season. The Penguins’ final regular-season game is slated for May 8.
Note:
• Goaltender Tristan Jarry is expected to start Tuesday’s home game against the New Jersey Devils. In 30 games this season, Jarry has an 18-8-3 record along with a 2.74 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.
