Should Penguins be concerned about Evgeni Malkin’s injury?

The Pittsburgh Penguins were expecting to get star center Evgeni Malkin back for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he was an unexpected absence from Game 1 against the Islanders.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a franchise cursed by injuries. Despite this, the team always seems to have success even when one of their stars is out. One of those stars is Evgeni Malkin. Malkin has battled injuries this season, but the team was optimistic they’d have him to start the postseason, where Malkin has historically done a ton of damage. They even got him back for the final few regular season games.

Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Game 1 against the New York Islanders has started and Malkin was not in the lineup. Without their star Russian, trade deadline acquisition Jeff Carter jumped out to the second line to replace him.

To their credit, the Pens did quite well down the stretch without Malkin. They were able to rally in March and April, holding off a push from the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins to take the top spot MassMatual East Division.

Is it time for the Penguins to be worried?

Malkin participated in practice, which means he’s at least close to returning. But it is quite concerning that he wasn’t able to play in Game 1. Usually, players will push it in the postseason if they’re not 100 percent. Malkin’s absence suggests he’s not as close to 100% as the Pens would like.

Without him, the Penguins will have to find other ways to create offense. Crosby will have to take a large portion of that pressure, but he’s proven he’s up to the task. Carter has done well in a small sample size and maybe he has enough left in the tank to be a capable replacement until Malkin is healthy.

All of that said, it’s not time for the Penguins to be worried about Malkin — yet. If he misses Game 2, I think that’s the point you have to be a bit concerned.