Malkin to return for series opener
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan minced no words when addressing Evgeni Malkin’s status for the team’s first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“Geno will be in the lineup and full-go,” Sullivan said after practice Tuesday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.
Malkin also said he will play in Game 1 of the team’s first-round series against Columbus Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena. He missed the final 13 games of the regular season with an upper-body injury.
“I will play tomorrow, for sure,” Malkin said Tuesday.
Malkin has been practicing with the team for nearly a week, and appeared close to returning in the final two regular-season games. Instead, he’ll see his first action since March 15 in a postseason contest.
“It’s a long time,” Malkin said. “I hope my first game, I’ll do my best. I know it’s not easy, but what will you do? Just play.”
Malkin said he felt good shooting the puck Tuesday, taking wrist shots, slap shots and one-timers. He went through line rushes in his usual spot on the second line, working with wingers Bryan Rust and Phil Kessel.
Murray ready
Matt Murray’s absence from the lineup over the final two games might have raised some eyebrows, but Murray and Sullivan confirmed that he’ll be good to go Wednesday night against Columbus.
Murray did not dress against Toronto or New York, with Marc-Andre Fleury and rookie Tristan Jarry splitting the two games. Murray’s last action came Thursday in New Jersey, and late in that game he appeared to come up awkwardly after stopping a Taylor Hall breakaway attempt. Nothing serious, though.
“Matt’s fine,” Sullivan said. “He had a strong practice today, we got him some good rest. He’s ready to go.”
The 12th man
Carter Rowney appears to be in line to get the nod as the 12th forward Wednesday. Rowney took line rushes in practice alongside Tom Kuhnhackl and Matt Cullen on the fourth line.
Sullivan said Rowney, who has split time between winger and center this season also gives the Penguins another option in the faceoff circle.