Mike Sullivan says Evgeni Malkin will be a "game time decision" when the Penguins try to even their first round series with the Islander Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena but all signs point to him missing his second straight game.
Malkin was a full practice participant in name only. He was not a part of the line rushes and he stood, or knelt, by during the power play/penalty kill. "It's just been part of the process that Geno's been going through," Sullivan said after a brisk 24-minute workout. "He's obviously trying to get back as soon as he can for us. Right now he's a game-time decision and we'll take each day as it comes."
Brian Dumoulin did not practice today after taking a shot off a skate during Sunday's overtime loss although he never missed a shift.
"Dumo was a maintenance day," explained Sullivan who added that goalie Casey DeSmith did not skate at all and remains day-to-day. Chad Ruhwedel filled Dumoulin's spot during the drills.
Otherwise, the players seemed in good spirits coming off the tough loss, including Tristan Jarry who allowed 4 goals, almost all of which could have been stopped. "I think Tristan is in a good spot from a mindsight standpoint," said Sullivan, "and we're confident that Tristan will respond and be at his best."
Capacity will increase to over 9,000 for Game Two with the faceoff just after 7:30.
