PITTSBURGH (TNS) – A welcome sight greeted the smattering of Penguins fans gathered Tuesday at the team’s practice facility in Cranberry: Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bonino were back on the ice.
One fan even yelled out: “Oh, thank God.”
It’s not quite time for that ticker tape parade. Both centers wore yellow, no-contact jerseys for the first portion of practice, and will not be available today in Boston.
But their presence marked a key step toward a return.
“It’s a big step for them to join the team,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “It’s their first practice with the team. I thought both of them looked strong, so they’re that much closer.”
Malkin has missed nine games with an undisclosed injury since last playing Feb. 2 against Ottawa. Bonino last played Jan. 12 after suffering a hand injury.
Coupled with the loss of Eric Fehr (undisclosed injury), who was bumped to center to fill in for Bonino, the team has recalled a half-dozen depth players from their farm team since, repeatedly plugged in holes with players getting work above their pay grade and tinkered with lines and special teams groupings.
The Penguins have gone 10-4-1 since Bonino left the lineup, and 6-3-1 without Malkin, managing to hold ground in the jumbled Eastern Conference standings. They sit in the second wild-card spot.
“The fact that we’ve been able to play some good hockey, climb in the standings, I think it says a lot about this team,” center Matt Cullen said.
He agreed this could have been a disastrous stretch considering the major injuries coupled with a new coach and non-stop lineup changes.
“No question. The guys who have come up and the guys who are filling holes are doing a heck of a job,” Cullen said. “It’s been big for our team. It’s a big step, I think. And I think the way that we’re playing now is more like what we all expected from Day One. I think that when we get guys back, hopefully we can take that next step.”
Sidney Crosby said he’s seen a surge in desperation since Bonino, Malkin and Fehr went down – and that needs to remain when they return.
“When guys are missing I think everyone raises their level, their desperation,” Crosby said. “Young guys understand they have a great opportunity. I think it really brings out the best in guys. When you do start to get guys back you can’t kind of relax and think everything’s going to be easier. I think you have to maintain that same mentality.”
Exactly when that will be?
“Hopefully soon. Sooner rather than later,” Bonino said. “Medically, everything is all healed up, so now I’ve got to get in shape.
Sullivan announced that defenseman Ben Lovejoy will be out “long-term” with an undisclosed upper body injury.