Evgeni Malkin Injury: Updates on Penguins Star's Lower Body and Return

Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in practice on Feb. 2. However, he's ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Malkin Active vs. Jets

Friday, Feb. 26

"Everything is good," Malkin said. "Today was a hard skate, but I'm ready to play. I'm ready to show my best."

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Latest on Malkin's Practice Status

Tuesday, Feb. 23

Malkin participated in Tuesday's session for the first time since sustaining the injury, per NHL.com.

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Injury-Prone Malkin Key to Penguins Attack

Malkin is Pittsburgh's most dangerous goalscorer and, alongside Sidney Crosby, is an offensive force for opposing teams to reckon with on a nightly basis. 

Malkin is as dangerous an offensive weapon as there is in the NHL, and he notched 28 goals and 42 assists in just 69 games last season. In the four seasons in which he's played 75 or more games, he's tallied at least 30 goals and 85 overall points, topping 100 points in three of those campaigns.

Injuries have become a major issue for Malkin, however, since his fantastic 2011-12 season, when he scored 50 goals and tallied 109 points. Coming into this season, he'd missed a combined 86 games in the last three seasons, and the injury-prone label aptly describes him.

Malkin's return makes Pittsburgh's attack much deeper and more dangerous as they look to push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.