PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) A little over 24 hours away from beginning their quest for the franchise's sixth Stanley Cup, the Pittsburgh Penguins have taken to the ice for a Saturday morning practice.
There was, however, one noticeable discrepancy; Center Evgeni Malkin was not taking line rushes with the rest of the team.
Malkin began his practice day early with skills coach Ty Hennes before the rest of the team, then left the ice.
Malkin returned to practice with the team but was not involved in rushes, and was reported to be taking in from drills.
The centers without Geno read as Crosby, Carter, Gaudreau, Blueger.
In further updates as practice progressed, it was reported that Malkin did not participate with either power play unit.
Also absent from Saturday morning's practice is backup goalie Casey DeSmith, who on Friday was being evaluated for a lower-body injury.
In his post practice press conference, head coach Mike Sullivan listed Malkin as a game-time decision for Game 1 against the New York Islanders.
DeSmith re-aggravated the lower-body injury that forced him to miss the final few games of the regular season.
DeSmith will be day-to-day with the injury.
