Rob Scuderi blocks a lot of shots.

He has done it 31 times already during these playoffs, tying him for third-most in the league.

And that's not counting one yesterday, even though he might remember it longer than any of the others.

As the Penguins' practice at Mellon Arena was winding down, Scuderi took an Evgeni Malkin slapshot off the foot and immediately fell to the ice in significant pain. When his teammates saw him down, practice stopped and didn't resume until Scuderi was back on his feet.

He clearly was hobbled, but that didn't prevent him from taking part in the rest of the drills and a practice-ending breakaway competition.

Later, Scuderi volunteered that "the foot's a little swollen," but took the incident pretty much in stride.

"It happens," he said. "It's unfortunate, but it happens."

Scuderi has done some exceptional defensive work during these playoffs, so his teammates were understandably nervous when he dropped.

"You don't like to see anyone go down in practice, but he's a tough kid," said Hal Gill, his defense partner. "He plays hockey."

Left winger Matt Cooke will not be suspended for the knee-on-knee hit that injured Carolina left winger Erik Colein the third period of Game 1.

It was not immediately known if the league will fine Cooke for that hit.

Miroslav Satan hardly qualifies as a classic fourth-liner -- his game is based more on skill than grit -- but he has been effective there since reclaiming a place in the lineup six games ago.

"I'm trying to help in any way I can," Satan said. "I used to play in a different role, but now it's a different situation, so I'm adjusting to it and trying to help the team.

It likely helps that the Penguins have been dressing seven defensemen and giving guys such as Malkin and Sidney Crosby some extra work on the No. 4 unit. That means Satan gets ice time alongside guys with world-class talent.

"The way Dan [coach Dan Bylsma] has been using us and using him, [Satan] hasn't strictly been in a [traditional] fourth-line role," said Craig Adams, another fourth-liner. "He's still getting to play with some pretty good players."

What's more, Satan has been playing with a passion and attention to detail that weren't evident most of the season, when his work was frequently criticized. Satan's role steadily shrank until he was sent to the Penguins' minor league team in early March to clear salary-cap space.

"Miro is doing all the little things right," Adams said: "Getting it out, getting it in, finishing his checks, playing well defensively.

"He's a super-talented guy, and he's going to bring that. He's had some pretty nice assists. At this time of year, everyone has to stick to the game plan and keep it simple, but, if you get a chance to make a play, his skill is going to take over and he's going to do that."

Whether Satan has done enough to move back into the Penguins' plans beyond this season is not clear. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and management probably will not finalize most personnel decisions until after the season.

Which is when Satan, 34, figures to start focusing on his future.

"I don't think about it right now," he said. "I'm looking at today, and one day ahead, and that's it."

Todd Reirden, who took over as interim coach of the Penguins' team in Wilkes-Barre when Bylsma replaced Michel Therrien, has agreed to a multiyear contract to remain in that role.

The Baby Penguins were 14-9-3 under Reirden and reached the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs. He is the sixth coach in franchise history.