PITTSBURGH – Penguins injured center Evgeni Malkin will return Friday, when Pittsburgh meets the Buffalo Sabres. But the Penguins, still without center Sidney Crosby, have lost another center, Mark Letestu, for 4-6 weeks due to arthroscopic knee surgery.
Malkin has missed the past five games — as well as All-Star Weekend in Raleigh, N.C. — with a knee injury and a sinus infection. He has 15 goals in 42 games this season.
Letestu was injured during the morning skate prior to the Penguins' 4-3 shootout victory over the Rangers in New York on Tuesday. Coach Dan Bylsma said Thursday that the injury involves his meniscus.
Bylsma also said that Crosby, who has missed the last 11 games with a concussion, will take a few days away from the team to visit his parents.
The Penguins are 2-0 since returning from the All-Star break, and have won four straight overall.
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