Penguins' Malkin expected to return Saturday vs. Jets

The Pittsburgh Penguins could get a gigantic boost ahead of a critical stretch of games as Evgeni Malkin is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets.

In the meantime, Malkin will miss his ninth consecutive game due to a lower-body injury Wednesday against the Boston Bruins.

The 29-year-old forward has 23 goals and 26 assists in 49 games this season.

The Penguins have gone 5-2-1 in his absence, sitting just one point up on the New Jersey Devils for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.