Despite returning to practice on Saturday in a full-contact jersey, Mike Sullivan confirmed that Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will not be playing in Game Two
The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan relayed the news via Twitter.
Mike Sullivan says Evgeni Malkin will not play.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 29, 2018
Malkin sustained a lower-body injury during Game Five against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 20. The injury came during a puck battle with Jori Lehterä.
The Penguins had previously stated that Malkin would be a game-time decision for Game Two. Despite telling ESPN that he felt “so much better,” the Penguins have ultimately decided to keep Malkin out of the lineup.
Carl Hagelin, who did not travel with the Penguins to Washington, also remains out with an upper-body injury. When questioned further about the nature of Hagelin’s injury, Sullivan only reiterated that it was upper-body. There is currently no timeline for Hagelin’s return.
Sullivan was also asked to clarify if Hagelin has a concussion (as he typically does), and basically punted on the question, saying only that he has an “upper-body injury."
— Sam Werner (@SWernerPG) April 29, 2018
