NEWARK, N.J. _ Evgeni Malkin would like to see a regular-season game or two before the postseason starts.
If Thursday's 80-minute skating session serves as any indication, the chances of Malkin doing that are fairly high.
"I think very close," Malkin said. "Day by day. It's my first practice with the team. I'm skating more every day. I need skating to be ready for playoffs. After this game, we have two left. I hope I play. Getting close."
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan reiterated that it makes no sense to do something stupid, simply to say Malkin, out since March 15 with a shoulder injury he suffered while blocking two nights earlier, played a game before the playoffs.
"We would like him to be 100 percent, so that he's ready to play," Sullivan said. "We've taken a cautious approach with him. I think he's played a fair amount of games this year. We're not overly concerned that he's got to knock the rust off. We feel pretty strongly that he can step right in and be an impact player for us."
The Penguins play the Devils on Thursday, the Maple Leafs on Saturday and the Rangers on Sunday.
Malkin wore a grey, non-contact sweater during Thursday's skate. He could easily take contact during Friday's practice in Toronto, see how it reacts overnight into Saturday, then play that night at Air Canada Centre.
Malkin said he's pushing through his rehab. At first, he experienced some pain between sessions, and he counseled with Sullivan and the team's medical staff to adjust things appropriately.
Currently, he's pain-free and eager to return.
"I did my best," Malkin said. "I feel like if I can play last game, the last two, I will. If not, I'm ready for playoffs. It's tough to say right now. I'm trying to do my best. Every day feels better."
Malkin did this last year; he was hurt in March, then returned for the second game of the playoffs.
That serves as something of a benchmark for him this season, but more it's just the excitement of the best time of the year.
"We're playing Columbus," Malkin said. "They're a tough team. We need to be ready physically. Great shape. Do my job. Skate every day. Help my teammates. We need to be ready right away."
That, of course, will be without Kris Letang, who the Penguins announced Wednesday will be out 4-6 months with a herniated disc in his neck.
Malkin is one of Letang's longest-tenured teammates. He said the Penguins are supporting Letang but also believes the team's No. 1 defenseman will be back to start the 2017-18 season.
"It's tough for him," Malkin said. "We try to support him. He's with the team every day, too. We joke around. He's a leader of this team. He's a great player. I believe he's a strong man. I think he's back next year for sure."
