Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby needs two points for 1,000 in his NHL career. He will be the 86th player in League history to reach the milestone and would be the 12th fastest, playing in his 754th game. Crosby, the Penguins captain, didn't take part in an optional morning skate. He has 10 points (six goals, four assists) in nine games against the Colorado Avalanche, with five points (three goals, two assists) in four games at Pepsi Center. He didn't play Oct. 17 in the Penguins' 4-3 overtime loss to Colorado because of a concussion. "There's so many elements to Sid as a person that makes him what he is," coach Mike Sullivan said. "For me, the thing that jumps out the most is his work ethic, his overall approach to the game. The root of it all is just his love for hockey. His work ethic is second to none. He's a talented kid, but I think what really separates him from some of the players that I've been around is his insatiable appetite for this game and to be the best." Forward Evgeni Malkin skated Thursday but will miss his sixth consecutive game because of a lower-body injury. Malkin might return against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, according to Sullivan. "He had a full contact practice today," Sullivan said. "It's his first one and he's obviously making some significant progress." The Penguins, 7-2-1 in their past 10 games, are one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for second place in the Metropolitan Division. Goaltender Matt Murray is expected to start.
