WASHINGTON — Evgeni Malkin will not play in Game 1 of the Penguins’ second-round playoff series against Washington Thursday night. But he took a pretty significant step towards returning Thursday morning.
Malkin participated in the Penguins’ optional morning skate, wearing a white no-contact jersey. He was on the ice for well over 30 minutes, and seemed at times to be testing out his leg to make sure he’s getting closer to game action.
Malkin was injured in Game 5 of the Penguins’ first-round series against the Flyers, when he collided with Philadelphia center Jori Lehtera and took and awkward fall into the boards on his left leg.