Malkin’s next step to return on horizon
NEW YORK — On Wednesday, Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin will take a noteworthy step toward a return when he begins skating individually in Pittsburgh, sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The return to the ice represents a significant benchmark in Malkin’s rehabilitation from a lower-body injury that occurred March 16. But it’s also just the first of many hurdles he’ll need to clear before he’s ready for game action.
Typically, injured Penguins follow the same progression. First, they skate individually for a stretch. Then, they join a group setting in a non-contact capacity — either on the taxi squad or with the main group. Finally, they need to skate in a full-team, full-contact setting before a return becomes imminent.
Malkin, who had previously only done the off-ice portion of his rehab, is still in the first step of that. There is still no timetable for his return. The club has described his status publicly as “weekto-week.”
The 34-year-old center initially was injured at PPG Paints Arena during a game against the Boston Bruins. Malkin was turning a corner in the offensive zone, when he was rocked by Boston’s 6foot-6, 220-pound defenseman Jarred Tinordi.
Malkin slowly made his way to the bench and went into the dressing room. He returned for a single powerplay shift, but then went right back into the dressing room.
The timing of the injury was unfortunate. Malkin was developing good chemistry with Kasperi Kapanen and in the midst of a surge in which he racked up 17 points in 15 games. He was one of the biggest reasons the Penguins shot up the standings.
Now, the Penguins will await his return and the possible shot-in-the-arm it will give a team playing through a unique pandemic season. The Penguins played their 39th game of a 56-game season on Tuesday against the Rangers. Just a month remains before a playoff push begins and Malkin begins his quest for a fourth Stanley Cup.
Jarry back on ice
Tristan Jarry returned to the ice after missing the past two-and-a-half games with an upper-body injury. He started Tuesday night when the Penguins opened a twogame series against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
It marked Jarry’s first appearance since March 29 against the Islanders, when he stopped all five shots he faced in the first period before being removed from the game during the first intermission.
“I think it was more precautionary than anything,” Jarry said. “They didn’t want it to get any worse. I think it was just the right time and the right moment to do it.”
Jarry entered the game riding a recent surge in performance. Since Feb. 14, he was 13-4-1 with a .926 save percentage and a 2.67 goalsagainst average
In other injury news, Teddy Blueger is not yet ready to return, even though he has skated in a full-contact capacity for about a week. He has not played since March 15, but a return can’t be far off. Coach Mike Sullivan said the center is continuing to make progress.
Tanev move official
The Penguins formally placed Brandon Tanev on injured reserve. The in-yourface winger returned from an upper-body injury to appear in the previous two games in Boston. But he’s again on the shelf, this time with an upper-body injury the team is describing as “week-to-week.” It appears this is a different upper-body injury and not a re-aggravation of the same thing.
In a related roster move, Radim Zohorna was called up from the taxi squad. He made his first NHL appearance since March 17, skating on the fourth line centered by Mark Jankowski.
The 6-6 forward has good hands and mobility, especially for his size. Entering Tuesday night, he scored one goal in two games. Drew O’Connor also was called up from the taxi squad and was a part of warm-ups, just in case.