Evgeni Malkin Out for Penguins' Game 2 vs. Capitals

Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin will remain out with a lower-body injury for Sunday's matchup against the Washington Capitals, according to Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop.

"Just part of the process," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan explained, per Crechiolo.

This will be the third straight game without Malkin, who missed both Game 6 of the first round and Game 1 of the second round.

As Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review noted, the center's ankle buckled in the first period of last week's Game 5 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The team announced he was a full participant in practice Saturday but remained a game-time call for Game 2. Unfortunately, he clearly isn't healthy enough to get back onto the ice for a game.

Malkin had three goals and two assists in his four active games this postseason and has been as good this year as we have seen in a long time. The 31-year-old had 98 points in 78 games, both of which were his most since 2011-12 when he won the Hart Trophy.

While the Penguins have plenty of depth at center, including Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel, this is a much better offensive team when Malkin is on the ice.

Pittsburgh has some breathing room with a 1-0 lead in the series against the Capitals, but they clearly hope their star can be back at full strength before too long.