Penguins’ Malkin set to return from suspension; Lizotte out with injury
The Pittsburgh Penguins will welcome one forward back into their lineup, while having another forced out due to injury.
Center Evgeni Malkin will return to play in Pittsburgh’s game against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday after serving a five-game suspension for slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.
Meanwhile, forward Blake Lizotte will miss Monday’s game with an upper-body injury.
Forward Blake Lizotte (upper body) will not play in tonight's game in Colorado.
Malkin, 39, is having somewhat of a late-career renaissance with 13 goals and 34 assists for 47 points in 46 games this season. If he maintains his current pace, the Russian national will post his first point-per-game season since 2022-23, when he notched 27 goals and 56 assists for 83 points in 82 games.
Selected second overall by the Penguins in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Malkin has gone on to become one of the most decorated players of his generation. Now in his 20th NHL season, he has won three Stanley Cups, one Hart Trophy, and two Art Ross Trophies, among other honors. He is currently third among active NHLers in career points, behind teammate Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin.
Lizotte, 28, played in Pittsburgh’s 4-3 win over the Utah Mammoth on Saturday, and it’s unclear exactly how or when he suffered his injury.
The Lindstrom, Minnesota native has seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 55 games this season. Last year, he had 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points in 59 games for Pittsburgh.
With 81 points through 66 games, the Penguins are tied with a game in hand on the New York Islanders for second place in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
After Monday’s game in Colorado, the Penguins will finish up a five-game road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.