Some news on the Pens front this afternoon:
— Forward Evgeni Malkin, as expected, will make his return to the lineup tomorrow night at home against the Buffalo Sabres. Malkin is expected to center Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis.
— Meanwhile, forward Mark Letestu is out for up to 4-6 weeks due to a knee injury and he is scheduled to undergo surgery. The surgery will be on meniscus, according to head coach Dan Bylsma.
The surgery is likely to happen next week.
Losing Letestu is a tough break for the Penguins who lack secondary scoring. Letestu has 10 goals and 20 points on the season and is only one of five players on the team with 10 or more goals this season.

Letestu suffered the injury in a freak accident during Tuesday’s morning skate when he hit a rut doing laps at MSG, a place that is regarded as having one of the worst ice surfaces in the league.
Letestu’s absence will get Dustin Jeffrey an opportunity as the third line center for the time being as Sidney Crosby’s return is still at least weeks away.
— Dan Bylsma said today that Crosby is heading back home to visit his parents. The Penguins captain will miss his 12 straight game tomorrow night. The Penguins are 7-3-1 without Crosby.
Crosby has only been cleared for “light activity”.
— Several Penguins didn’t practice today including Arron Asham who is sidelined with an injured shoulder. At this time, the Penguins say he’s day-to-day. He’s not expected to play tomorrow night.
Mike Rupp, Brooks Orpik and Kris Letang were given maintaince days.

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