Malkin skates with teammates prior to Game 1

WASHINGTON --  Technically, Evgeni Malkin was wearing a white non-contact jersey during Thursday's morning skate at Capital One Arena. But, well, this is hockey and this is still Malkin.

After his teammates had left the ice to prepare themselves for Game 1 against the Capitals, the Russian held back to skate with the assistant coaches and the scratches. Malkin jostled with Matt Hunwick and Sergei Gonchar during a game of 2-on-3. All the while, the NHL's fourth-leading scorer smiled.

Skating over to the bench to trainer Chris Stewart, Malkin shrugged. Presumably, that was in response to how he was feeling. Judging by the smile on Malkin's face for Thursday's skate, we'll assume he's doing pretty good.

Malkin has already been ruled out for Game 1 against the Capitals but his teammates and coaches were glad to see him back on the ice. He'd skated solo a day earlier at the Lemieux Sports Complex.

"He's one of the leaders, one of the best players, it’s nice to see him on the ice this morning," Derick Brassard said. "We’ll see what’s going to happen the next couple days. If he’s ready to go for Game 2, we're obviously going to be really happy."

Mike Sullivan said the fact that Malkin is skating with the team -- nine days after sustaining a lower body injury in Game 5 against Philadelphia -- means "he's that much closer" to returning.

"He's a big part of this team, he's a difference-maker and he's not an easy guy to replace, but, as we've said all along, we've got a next-man-up attitude and it's going to provide opportunity for other guys to step up and try and help us win," Sullivan said.

As the Penguins are well aware, injuries are as much a part of the playoffs as beards. Over their past two Stanley Cup runs they've had to overcome injuries to Kris Letang and Matt Murray, most notably. Each time they've been able to overcome them.

Malkin isn't even the only player who will miss Thursday night's game against Metro Division champion Washington. Carl Hagelin is out with an upper body injury suffered in Game 6 against the Flyers.

"Anytime there’s injuries it’s going to test the depth of your team," Sullivan said. "It’s hard to win in the playoffs and I think depth is an important part of it. My experience of going through it the last couple years is, it takes more than 12 forwards and six defenseman and two goalies to win. We’re fortunate. We believe in the depth that we have."

Sans Malkin and Hagelin, the Penguins put that depth on display in the series-clinching win over Philadelphia last Sunday when Jake Guentzel scored four goals in an 8-5 win.

"I think everyone has to step up," Guentzel said. "When you lose a player like that, it’s tough. (But) with the leadership we have and the players we have in this room, I think we have the group that can do it."

With Malkin and Hagelin, 2/3 of the second line, out, Riley Sheahan will skate between Dominik Simon and Phil Kessel. Their absences also throw a wrench on special teams. Guentzel will move into Malkin's spot on the first power play unit while Carter Rowney, who has played just one game since March 15, will eat up some of Hagelin's minutes on the penalty kill.

"He's played some really good games in the first series," Brassard said of Simon. "Outside of that, I think it’s just everyone in general has to play better. You can't really replace a guy that scored 40 goals, but as a team you can do a better job or try and do a better job. We’ll see what’s going to happen."

MATT SUNDAY GALLERY