Reports out of Pittsburgh have confirmed that Penguins forward
Evgeni Malkin did not accompany the team on its two-game road trip as a result of recurring soreness to his surgically repaired right knee.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Malkin, who has 4 points but has missed three of the past four games, will be sidelined for matches in Winnipeg on Monday and Minnesota on Tuesday. He'll be re-evaluated prior to Pittsburgh's home contest against the
Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
In addition to Malkin,
Sidney Crosby (concussion),
Brooks Orpik (abdomen) and
Dustin Jeffrey (knee) did not join the team for the two-game road trip. Crosby was cleared for contact last week, but the Penguins have no plans to rush him back into action.