Morning Skate Buzz: Evgeni Malkin participating in morning skate, centering second line and on top power play unit

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.