Penguins Practice: Rust, Malkin Full Go as Team Reconvenes

Yes, the 4 Nations Face-Off is still ongoing, but the Pittsburgh Penguins who have not been participating in that tournament returned to practice Tuesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

Forwards Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin, who are on IR, participated. Both were wearing regular, black jerseys, and assistant coach Mike Vellucci said both were “full go.” Boko Imama, who missed the Penguins’ last game before the break, a 3-2 loss at Philadelphia, was not on the ice. Vellucci said Imama is day to day.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who along with Team Canada will face Team USA in the 4 Nations championship on Thursday in Boston, and Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, who is coaching the Americans, are still with their international teams. Vellucci oversaw practice.

Winger Rickard Rakell and defenseman Erik Karlsson, whose Team Sweden has been eliminated, were not on the ice. Sweden played just the night before, beating Team USA in its tournament finale — although Rickard sat out that game because of an illness.

Forward Emil Bemstrom and goaltender Joel Blomqvist, who were recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL earlier Tuesday, also were on the ice.

As might be expected after a layoff, the practice was heavy on conditioning and skills. There was also a spirited three-on-three drill.

“It’s a long season. A lot of guys have families, so it gives them time to be with their families. And then just reset,” Vellucci said. “Practice had great pace, a lot of energy. Execution wasn’t great, but (we) expect that after being off for eight days.”

Vellucci said Rakell and Eriksson should be back later in the week. Sullivan could be back for Friday’s practice.

Tuesday was the first of four scheduled days in a row for the Penguins, who resume their schedule after the 4 Nations break on Saturday afternoon against the Washington Capitals.