PITTSBURGH -- Injured forward Evgeni Malkin returned to practice on Monday with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Malkin, who missed three games leading up to the all-star break with a knee injury and a sinus infection, still won't play versus the New York Rangers on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. But the centre, who also missed the all-star game Sunday in Raleigh, N.C., at least took one big step closer to his return.
Malkin has 15 goals and 22 assists in 42 games. His 179 shots on goal lead the Penguins.
Pittsburgh, in second place in the Atlantic Division behind the Philadelphia Flyers, play host to the New York Islanders on Wednesday, and the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.
