Evgeni Malkin is back!

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Tuesday that centerman Evgeni Malkin will make his 2021-22 debut tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. Malkin, 35, had off-season knee surgery and has missed the entire 2021-22 season to date.

The Magnitogorsk, Russia native skated on a line with Kasperi Kapanen and Jeff Carter at Penguins practice on Monday and was originally listed as a game-time decision before the team made his return official this afternoon.

Pittsburgh currently sits fourth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 20-9-5 through 34 games. They sit four points back of Washington for third place and five points back of both the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. Getting Malkin back will certainly help their chances at earning a playoff berth for a sixteenth straight year.

Puck drop for tonight's game at the Honda Center in Anaheim is set for 10pm ET.

GENO'S BACK! @emalkin71geno will make his season debut tonight in Anaheim! pic.twitter.com/OEJShbq2T8— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 11, 2022

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