1. Hornqvist practices
Winger Patric Hornqvist participated in full-contact practice with the team. He hopes to return to the lineup when the Pens face the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday afternoon for Game 6 of their First Round matchup - which Pittsburgh leads 3-2.
"I felt good. It's nice to be back with the guys, skating around and getting bumped a little bit," Hornqvist said after practice. "Hopefully it keeps going well (Saturday) and I can play (Sunday)."
Hornqvist, who was ruled a "game-time decision" by head coach Mike Sullivan, has missed the past 2 games with an upper-body injury.
"Everybody has injuries. It's just part of the game," Hornqvist said. "It's not a great feeling to be out of the lineup and watching. I get so nervous."
2. Malkin is "game-time"
Center Evgeni Malkin was absent from the club's afternoon practice and Sullivan reiterated to the media that "all players will be game-time decisions."
Malkin briefly left Game 5 after falling awkwardly on the ice after getting tangled with Jori Lehtera in the corner late in the first period. He returned for the start of the second period and was able to finish the game.
Forward Carter Rowney also practiced with his teammates. With the re-assignment of center Josh Jooris, it appears as though Rowney is available if needed by the team.
3. PP
If Hornqvist can play in Game 6, it would be a boost to the club's top power-play unit. Hornqvist practiced with the first unit on Saturday in his typical net-front position.
"He obviously does a great job in front of the net," captain Sidney Crosby said of Hornqvist. "But regardless of who's out there, we've got to get the job done."
Meanwhile, Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang took turns filling in for the absent Malkin on the man-advantage unit. Crosby, Phil Kessel and Justin Schultz assumed their usual positions.
The Pens' power play went 0-for-5 in Game 5, and is a combined 0-for-9 in the 2 losses to the Flyers. The unit has gone 5 for 15 (33%) in the 3 Pittsburgh wins, all of which were won by at least a 4-goal margin.
"(The power play) didn't really get us much momentum (in Game 5)," Schultz said. "We couldn't get it going. We'll work on it and try to be better for the next one."
