Malkin returns for Game 2, Lundqvist will start with Fleury still out

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The New York Rangers will have their No. 1 goaltender in the lineup for Saturday's playoff matinee against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Henrik Lundqvist will start Game 2 for the visiting Rangers after exiting Game 1 on Wednesday night. He was forced to leave after the opening period when he was struck near the right eye by the stick blade of teammate Marc Staal.

The 34-year-old netminder met with a specialist in Pittsburgh on Thursday and returned to practice Friday.

The Penguins, meanwhile, may have No. 1 goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and top centre Evgeni Malkin back in the lineup for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series. Both players were listed as game-time decisions by Penguins coach Mike Sullivan.

Fleury hasn't played since Mar. 31 because of a concussion while Malkin has been out since mid-March with an upper-body injury. Malkin returned to his first full practice with the club on Friday.

Malkin was originally expected to miss at least six weeks with the injury. A return Saturday would mark just over five weeks.

With Fleury and Matt Murray both out for Game 1, untested third-stringer Jeff Zatkoff started for the Penguins. The 28-year-old netminder was brilliant with 35 saves in the Penguins' 5-2 victory.