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Penguins' Malkin takes to the ice for practice
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Evgeni Malkin is helped up after taking a hit along the boards in the third period. He left the game Feb. 22 and did not return.
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Center Evgeni Malkin, who is recovering from a concussion, skated at an optional Penguins practice at Southpointe today. It was his first time skating with teammates since he got hurt Feb. 22.
He was one of 15 players on the ice and participated in some puck-battle drills that included some contact.
"I feel good," Malkin said afterward. He expects to see doctors again and will undergo a neurocognitive test.
"It was a good practice today, but I need a couple more" before returning to the lineup, he said.
Malkin, the defending NHL scoring champion and MVP, has missed four games since he slid violently into the boards at Consol Energy Center, hitting his back and head, which snapped back in a whiplash motion.
Memory loss was the concerning symptom, Malkin said, but that has gotten better.
"We'll see," he said. "Maybe I'll come back soon."
He said he has watched a replay several times and while it is "scary," he absolved Florida defenseman Eric Gudbranson, who checked Malkin on the play and was not penalized.
The Penguins' next game is Monday night at home against Tampa Bay.
First Published March 3, 2013 12:57 am
