Pittsburgh Penguins Provide Injury Update on Evgeni Malkin

The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to have Evgeni Malkin back in their lineup in the very near future as the forward has been practicing with the team, wearing a non-contact jersey.

Malkin has been out of the lineup since mid-March due to a lower-body injury and recently has ramped up his participation with his teammates. Head coach Mike Sullivan admitted the star will travel with the team when they begin their four-game road trip on Thursday in Washington.

The Penguins have been carrying on just fine without Malkin as they've gone 14-5-2 during his absence and it looks like the East Division title is going to come down to the wire. With some fresh faces like Jeff Carter and with the Penguins injury troubles this season, their coaching staff would love a couple of games with their 1-A lineup before the playoffs begin.

The Russian star sits with eight goals and 16 assists in the 24 games he's appeared in this season and appears set to return to the lineup with wingers Jason Zucker and Kasperi Kapanen.

Pens fans can't wait to see all their lineup once everyone is healthy and it sounds like that could be real soon!