Bryan Rust also said he expects to play Saturday. The forward missed a 3-2 loss at the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 8 with a lower-body injury and has 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 48 games, third on the Penguins behind Crosby (58 points) and Rickard Rakell (48).

Crosby, signed through 2026-27, has repeatedly said he will play only for the Penguins. He and Malkin are the franchise leaders in games played and join Lemieux as the only players in franchise history to win the Hart and Conn Smythe trophies and multiple scoring titles.

Michael Bunting objected, a bit, to the premise of the question. His usual linemate Evgeni Malkin is probably not the same player at 38 as he was at 28. What can he still … Bunting interrupted the reporter offering the clumsy query.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin is set to return to the lineup after missing the past six games due to a lower-body ailment, reports Rob Rossi of The Athletic.