Malkin, Rust back as full participant in Pens’ practice

The Pittsburgh Penguins conducted their first organized practice since Feb. 7 on Tuesday afternoon, as the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off break continues ahead of Thursday’s title game between Canada and the United States.

While a handful of Penguins players who partook (and in the case of Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby, continue to participate) in the tournament remained away from the team, the majority of skaters and goaltenders returned at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

Notable among those practicing were forwards Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust, both of whom are designated to injured reserve with unspecified ailments.

Penguins assistant Mike Vellucci, leading practice for Mike Sullivan who’s away coaching the U.S. squad, said Malkin and Rust were full participants.

Malkin hasn’t played since Jan. 25, and Rust did not appear in the Penguins’ final pre-break contest, a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 8.

Forward Boko Imama is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, Vellucci said. Imama left early with an injury Feb. 7 against the New York Rangers and did not appear the following game against Philadelphia.

Vellucci also indicated defenseman Erik Karlsson and forward Rickard Rakell, who represented Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off, would rejoin the team for practice Friday. Rakell sat out Monday’s win over the U.S. because of illness.

Break well spent

Several Penguins players took advantage of the midseason break.

Defenseman P.O Joseph booked himself a vacation to Aruba with some friends.

“It was great,” Joseph said. “We got there last Sunday and watched the Super Bowl on the beach.”

Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic used the time off to take his family to Florida.

“Just relaxed, went full-on dad mode and got to hang out by the pool and just enjoy some time away from it all,” Nedeljkovic said. “It was a nice little reset.”