Pens Injury Updates 3/20: Malkin Practices, Letang Skates Alone

Credit: Micaela’s Blog

Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is reporting that injured Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin was in optional team skate Wednesday while shelved defenseman Kris Letang skated on his own.

Malkin was reportedly moving with conviction as he did not shy away from absorbing contact and could potentially return for Friday’s matchup against the New York Islanders.

Although there isn’t a definitive answer as to whether or not Malkin will suit up Friday, this is a great step towards his reinsertion in Pittsburgh’s lineup.

Malkin has not played since March 9th, in which he took a hard hit from Toronto forward James van Riemsdyk late in the third period.

On the season, Malkin has 24 points (5G, 19A) in 21 games.

Letang skated as well, but by himself before the team’s optional skate.  The severity of his injury is a little more cloudy due to how recent he suffered it, so he’ll most likely be a game-time decision for Friday.

Letang has not played since he left late in the first period against the Boston Bruins this past Sunday and the team has listed him day-to-day with the undisclosed lower-body injury.

For the year, Letang has 28 points (3G, 25A) in 27 games.

Stay tuned to see if these two suit up Friday when the Pens take on the Islanders in Long Island at 7 p.m.