Morning Skate Buzz: Malkin participating in morning skate; Letang, Cooke absent

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (shoulder) is participating in today’s morning skate. Malkin has missed the last five games and his return to the lineup has been considered close but Malkin did not take any regular line rushes with the top-4 lines or see any power play time. During the last groupings of line rushes, he skated as the third line left winger with Brandon Sutter and Tyler Kennedy.

It doesn’t appear Malkin will play tonight and he doesn’t seem to be shooting with a lot of velocity.

Defenseman Kris Letang also appears to be out of the lineup tonight. Letang is not participating in the skate and suffered a lower body injury Sunday afternoon.

Also missing from the skate is Matt Cooke. Cooke got banged up Saturday afternoon and still played on Sunday.

Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis

Bennett – Jeffrey – Neal

Glass/Malkin – Sutter – Kennedy

Glass – Vitale – Adams

Orpik – Martin

Eaton – Niskanen

Despres – Engelland

Bortuzzo rotated with Despres

Marc Andre Fleury in goal tonight.