Vokoun to WBS for conditioning assignment as Pens look to see if he can handle a game situation

VOKOUN TO WBS FOR CONDITIONING ASSIGMENT

With three games left in the regular season, the Penguins still don’t know if Tomas Vokoun can handle a game situation.

Vokoun practiced with the Penguins again today but will report to Wilkes Barre on Wednesday for a conditioning assignment. Wilkes Barre has three straight games (April 11-13) this week, @ Syracuse on Friday night, and hosting Binghamton on Saturday and Toronto on Sunday.

It’s expected that Vokoun will start two of the three games, if he’s able to handle the workload.

“We have to see if he can” {play in a game} Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said.

Bylsma admitted again today that Vokoun has been “dealing with some things”, believed to be general soreness.

An ideal scenario Vokoun would have been able to make at least a couple NHL starts before the playoffs but his progress back into game shape has been slow.

MORE BUZZ

— Evgeni Malkin is skating “lightly” Bylsma said. Malkin is not expected to return for the regular season.

— Joe Vitale is believed to have a type of injury that might require surgery after the season but he should be able to play through the injury. When that will be, though, remains to be seen.

Sidney Crosby, Brooks Orpik, Olli Maatta and Chris Kunitz all practiced today.