Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin participated in a full-contact practice Wednesday for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury last month.
Coach Mike Sullivan said the 34-year-old veteran would travel with the team on a four-game road trip that starts Thursday night against the Washington Capitals.
Malkin was injured on March 16 after taking a hit by Boston defenseman Jarred Tinordi in a 2-1 loss to the Bruins. The three-time Stanley Cup winner was placed on long-term injured reserve on March 29.
Malkin had eight goals and 24 points in 29 games before his injury. He has 1,100 points (424 goals, 676 assists) in 936 games with the Penguins since 2006.
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The Penguins also announced that forward Frederick Gaudreau also participated fully in practice Wednesday. He has been out since April 11 with a lower-body injury and has a goal and three assists in 13 games.
Sullivan said forward Brandon Tanev (upper-body injury) skated with the taxi squad before practice and is making progress. He hasn’t played since April 3 and has 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 32 games.
Sullivan said Gaudreau and Tanev will also join Pittsburgh (32-15-3) for the road trip, which includes two games in Washington and two in Philadelphia.
–Field Level Media