Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin to return from injury vs. Oilers

Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin (71). (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

The Pittsburgh Penguins will get a big boost to their lineup when they host Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers Saturday.

Evgeni Malkin will play in the game after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury.

“I miss the ice so much,” Malkin said earlier in the week after returning to practice. “I don’t play in a long time, like all summer. Missed the last three weeks. It’s a little bit hard mentally. I try to stay positive. I try to focus, do my best and work hard.”

The 33-year-old had one goal in two games before his injury. He is expected to centre a line between Alex Galchenyuk and Jared McCann on Saturday.

The Penguins have had a few players return from injury in recent days. Nick Bjugstad (lower-body), Jared McCann (lower-body), Bryan Rust (upper-body) and Alex Galchenyuk (lower-body) have all missed time this season.

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