UPDATE! Malkin scores in his return to Pens lineup

Dec. 10, 10:00 a.m, – As expected, Malkin returned on Monday night and showed no ill-effects from his lower-body injury. He played 18:02 and scored a highlight reel goal to open the scoring in the second period. He will be without winger James Neal for the next four games, but it should not hurt a player of Malkin’s caliber. The Penguins take on the Devils on Friday.

Dec. 9, 12:05 p.m – Malkin indicates that he will be in the lineup tonight, but head coach Dan Bylsma said that his lineup will be a game-time decision. It appears it will take a late setback in order for Malkin not to play tonight, but monitor his status prior to puck-drop just to be sure.

Dec. 9, 11:14 a.m – Malkin participated in the Penguins morning skate and took line rushes and also participated in power-play drills. Malkin missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but appears to be back in tonight. This would be a huge addition for the Penguins, because they are expected to be without James Neal, who has a phone hearing for a possible suspension stemming from a kneeing incident on Saturday. We will update when an official word is announced!

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Pittsburgh Penguins beat reporter Shelley Anderson has reported that forward Evgeni Malkin will not travel with the team to Boston for Saturday’s contest.

Malkin was injured in the morning skate on Thursday and did not play against the Sharks last night. He is considered day-to-day and could potentially miss Monday’s contest vs. the Blue Jackets as well.

Malkin joins Pascal Dupuis (lower body / will travel), Andrew Ebbett (broken ankle last night), Beau Bennett (hand/wrist), Paul Martin (leg), Rob Scuderi (ankle), Tanner Glass (hand) and Tomas Vokoun (blood clot) as injured Penguins players.

It will be a tough challenge for the Penguins to take on the Bruins without arguably three of their top-six forwards and two of their top-4 defensemen. Expect Jayson Megna to stay in the top-6 along and it could be Joe Vitale who gets bumped up to play with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz, he moved up to that line after Dupuis left yesterday.

Monitor their lines following Saturday’s morning skate.