Scoring Help Could Soon Be On The Way For Slumping Penguins
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist will be game-time decisions when the Penguins host the Arizona Coyotes Saturday at 1 p.m.
Coach Mike Johnston said Friday, "They went through a full practice and took some extra battle drills at the end. They're both really close (to a return)."
Malkin, the team's leading goal scorer with 28, hasn't played since March 14, while Hornqvist, who's third on the team with 23 goals, was injured the next day. The Penguins won only once since the players went out of the lineup.
"I know I can help the team," Malkin said after practice, adding that he feels he can help Chris Kunitz, who he believes isn't playing with confidence.
Hornqvist doesn't think that he and Malkin alone are the answer to the Penguins slump.
"We have a great group of guys in here, and we know we can pull it together. We have to find a way to play the right way every night. It doesn't matter who's in and who's out."
Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff remains out after he was injured on Tuesday.
Thomas Greiss will start in goal on Saturday and Marc Andre Fleury will face San Jose on Sunday.
Owner Mario Lemieux joined general manager Jim Rutherford and team president to watch Friday's practice from the seats at Consol Energy Center.
