When Evgeni Malkin dropped to the ice against the Florida Panthers just over a week ago, it didn’t look good for the reigning NHL MVP. When the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that Malkin suffered a concussion, you could hear Pittsburgh hold their collective breath.
10 days later, the city can finally breath.
While Geno practiced yesterday and said he could use a few more practices before returning to the ice, the Penguins announced earlier today that Malkin will be back on the ice at Consol Energy Center tonight as the Penguins prepare to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In a matchup features two of the top three players in the league in Steven Stamkos and Sidney Crosby, Malkin’s return will allows the Steel City to see the three best players take the ice at once tonight.
Since the Penguins have been down this road before when Crosby suffered his concussion, Coach Dan Bylsma said the team knew what they were doing and took the appropriate measures.
“We followed protocol carefully and took every precaution possible,” he said. “In this case, Evgeni had memory loss that returned. He felt good for seven full days. He’s worked out hard on and off the ice for those seven day, full contact, full go in practice. We’re not talking about gut feelings. He’s gone through the protocol and the steps. It’s been seven full days.”
To make room for Malkin, who has four goals and 17 assists in 18 games this season, the Penguins placed Zach Boychuk on waivers. Word around the league is that the Carolina Hurricanes – who Boychuk played with prior to being claimed by the Pens – have interest in re-acquiring the wingers.
The early second line looks to be made up of Malkin, James Neal and Matt Cooke. News broke not long ago that Beau Bennett was scratched for tonight that left everyone, well, scratching their heads. Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported at the first round pick of the Penguins in 2010 was re-assigned back to Wilkes-Barre. Bennett had one goal and two assists in eight games with Pittsburgh.
Photo Credits: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
