PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen returned to a Pens practice today, although not participating in line rushes as the Pens host the Devils Tuesday night at 7p.
Neither will return Tuesday night, Pens head coach Mike Sullivan said they have a ballpark date as to when they will return to full practice, but won't share that publicly.
"It's real encouraging that they are joining the team in practice. I think it's an essential part of return to play is getting these guys around their teammates. Also getting them in a read-react environment where they have to make the plays spontaneously. They've got to deal with the belligerence-the pushing and the shoving in the battle areas that's such an essential element of the game. We've got to get these guys more and more in game real scenarios. It's an important aspect of the return to play."
"Seeing them out there is really good for us," said forward Zach Aston-Reese. "Geno was flying today, Kappy as well. Those are two guys that are going to add to our offense. We are excited to get them back soon."
