Penguins Notes: Crosby, Malkin, Lovejoy, Talbot & Asham

The Latest Penguins Buzz

*I'm told the Penguins are optimistic that Evgeni Malkin will be available to return to the lineup Tuesday night against the New York Rangers. Malkin has missed the past three games with a knee issue and now has a so-called sinus infection.

Tests done multiple times over the past 8 weeks have shown no structural damage to Malkin's knee, which continues to bother him on and off but the injury is not considered serious by any means and is something he can play with.

The Penguins return to practice Monday afternoon at 2:01 p.m. and sense is Malkin should be a full participant.

*Things are said to progressing slowly for Sidney Crosby but he's moving in the direction of where he should be cleared to conduct some "mild" dryland activities any day now, sources say. The Penguins have played just two games this season with Jordan Staal, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby all in the lineup.

*Josh Yohe of the Tribune-Review had a good article this morning on Ben Lovejoy and Deryk Engelland. As i mentioned in my post game Penguins-Hurricanes report, Lovejoy is winning playing time from Engelland and is emerging as the Penguins No. 6 defenseman in the eyes of contacts I've spoken with.