Evgeni Malkin returns to Penguins lineup for matinee vs. Flyers

Ray Slover

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Evgeni Malkin returns to Penguins lineup for matinee vs. Flyers image

Waddling along at 3-7-1 with dreams of home-ice advantage fading, the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday expected to get a jolt with the return of Evgeni Malkin.

Good thing, because the Philadelphia Flyers would like nothing better than to wallop their rivals and deliver another blow to the Pens' Stanley Cup playoffs future.

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Game time was 12:30 p.m. ET, and there's no question the Penguins need Malkin. In addition to their stumbles in the past 10 games, they are 3-8-2 in games without Malkin this season.

Malkin is the yin to Sidney Crosby's yang, the complement of a second elite center that makes the Penguins dangerous. He was skating this week in the final stages of recovery from a dreaded lower-body injury. He ruled out playing Saturday, in a loss that saw the Pens blow a two-goal lead.

Coach Mike Johnston also is watching progress by injured defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. Kris Letang continues to fight off his latest concussion, making the Pens paper-thin on defense. With productive players out of his lineup, Johnston can't find a consistent core.

The Pens also said Sunday that tough winger Steve Downie would not play.

The Penguins are stuck in a third-place berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs. If the New York Islanders find their mojo, the Pens could be faced with securing a wild-card berth. So beating the Flyers is critical.

Also on the NHL schedule on Easter Sunday, each with playoff significance (all times ET):  

Washington Capitals at Detroit Red Wings, 5 p.m.

Montreal Canadiens at Florida Panthers, 5 p.m.

Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs, 5 p.m.

St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks, 6:30 p.m.

Ray Slover