Penguins/NHL
MORNING SKATE BUZZ Center Evgeni Malkin is participating in today’s morning skate. Malkin skating with the team for the second straight day, is centering the second line of Matt Cooke and James Neal.
Malkin is also working the point with the top power play unit. As former player and Root Sports analyst Bob Errey just said to me, “He’s {Evgeni Malkin} skating like he’s playing.” Malkin is skating very hard out there, which is not the norm for him in a morning skate.
The extra forwards this morning who did not take line rushes were Zach Boychuk and Beau Bennett. Both appear to be healthy scratches if Malkin plays.
LINES
Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis
Cooke – Malkin – Neal
Jeffrey – Sutter – Kennedy
Glass – Vitale – Adams
Extras: Bennett, Boychuk.
DEFENSEMEN
Orpik – Letang
Eaton – Niskanen
Despres – Engelland
Bortuzzo
Marc Andre Fleury will start in goal.
Notes: Paul Martin’s injury continues to look minor. Martin is not participating in the morning skate but skated for a second straight day. Martin went through individual on-ice workouts in the 9:00 a.m. hour prior to the skate. He will miss his second straight game tonight.
