NEWARK, N.J. -- Evgeni Malkin often was a virtual no-show through the early weeks of the 2020-21 season.
Now the Penguins are preparing for life without him again.
They just don't know -- or perhaps aren't saying -- for how long.
Mike Sullivan said after the game-day skate at Prudential Center Thursday that Malkin "is continuing to be evaluated" for the injury that knocked him out of the Penguins' 2-1 loss to Boston at PPG Paints Tuesday.
Sullivan declined to say whether that assessment involves receiving second opinions, and added that the Penguins "hope to have" more definitive information "in the next day or so."
Clearly, though, either Malkin nor third-line center Teddy Blueger will be available for the Penguins' game against New Jersey tonight at 7:08 at Prudential Center.
Malkin appeared to hurt his leg or knee on a hit by Boston defenseman Jarred Tinordi during the first period.
He hobbled off the ice and to the locker room immediately, but made a brief return before the first intermission.
Malkin had returned to his customary form in the weeks leading up to his injury, putting up four goals and eight assists in the eight games before being hurt.
"He's been playing really well," right winger Kasperi Kapanen said. "He's feeling himself, and we're going to miss him out there."
Malkin's place on the second line with Kapanen and Brandon Tanev is expected to be filled by Evan Rodrigues, who was plugged into that spot Tuesday and skated there this morning.
MORE FROM THE SKATE
• Tristan Jarry will start in goal for the Penguins.
• Defenseman John Marino is expected to return to the lineup tonight after missing the past four games because of an unspecified injury. Marino said he feels "pretty good," but described himself as a "game-time decision."
• The Penguins recalled center Radim Zohorna from their farm team in Wilkes-Barre. He is 6 foot 6, 233 pounds and has three goals and six assists in 11 games with the Baby Penguins. "He's played extremely well," Sullivan said, describing him as "a real interesting player for us."
• New Jersey is the only East Division team the Penguins have not faced this season, so they don't have much first-hand knowledge about the Devils. Marino, though, offered a fairly flattering assessment of them. "We know they're a young team," he said. "They're fast."
• Forward Jared McCann and defenseman Mark Friedman participated in the game-day skate but will not play tonight, Sullivan said.