The Pittsburgh Penguins do not yet know if Evgeni Malkin will be able to play Tuesday, Oct. 25, against the New York Islanders as the center continues to battle with soreness in his surgically repaired right knee, according to the team's official Twitter account. Coach Dan Bylsma says Malkin will accompany the Pens to Long Island, where Pittsburgh will begin a home-and-home set with New York. That he is traveling with the team ought to be a positive sign.
Malkin has missed each of the Penguins' last five games, and seven of their 10 overall this season, because of the soreness. Despite his absence, Pittsburgh leads the NHL in goals scored, thanks largely to the brilliance of winger James Neal, whose eight goals ranks him No. 1 in the league.
It's worth noting that Malkin practiced on the line with Neal and Steve Sullivan on Monday morning, reports Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Pittsburgh will not have defenseman Zbynek Michalek available for this Islanders game, or for any other game, for perhaps a month. The eight-year veteran broke a finger on his right hand in the Pens' 4-1 victory against the New Jersey Devils last Saturday.
The Penguins face the Islanders on Tuesday, Oct. 25, with the puck dropping at 7 PM. Stay tuned to this StoryStream on SB Nation Pittsburgh for complete coverage.