NEWARK, N.J. — Evgeni Malkin would like to see a regular season game or two before the postseason starts.
If Thursday’s 80-minute skating session serves as any indication, the chances of Malkin doing that are fairly high.
“I think very close," Malkin said. "Day-by-day. It’s my first practice with the team. I’m skating more every day. I need skating to be ready for playoffs. After this game, we have two left. I hope I play. Getting close.”
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan reiterated that it makes no sense to do something stupid, simply to say Malkin, out since March 15 with a shoulder injury he suffered while blocking two nights earlier, played a game before the playoffs.