The Penguins list Max Talbot as day-to-day.

Just as they have for the past week and a half.

Just as they would almost any player at this time of year, regardless of whether he was recovering from a multiple-organ transplant, a minor case of dandruff or even, well, a fractured extremity.

After all, teams can't be too careful with information about those lower- and upper-body injuries.

But Talbot, who missed the past three games because of a broken right foot he got in the Penguins' second-round playoff series against New York, resumed practicing yesterday, and said he should be able to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final against Philadelphia at 7:38 tonight at Mellon Arena.

"I feel good," Talbot said. "If I'm asked to play, I think I'll be ready."

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Scouting report

Matchup: Philadelphia Flyers at Penguins, 7:38 p.m. today, Mellon Arena.

Series: Penguins, 1-0.

TV, radio: Versus; WXDX-FM (105.9).

Probable goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury for Penguins. Martin Biron for Flyers.

Penguins: Lost Game 2 in two of three previous series against Flyers. ... C Evgeni Malkin is tied for second in league with three winning goals. ... Have allowed two power-play goals just once in 10 playoff games.

Flyers: Are 4-4 on road during these playoffs. ... LW Vaclav Prospal does not have goal in past eight games. ... Have gone 6-2 when scoring first.

Hidden stat: Of six players awarded a penalty shot in these playoffs, Flyers C Mike Richards is the only one to score.

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While he experienced no apparent difficulty during a total of about 90 minutes on the ice, a final determination on whether to use Talbot has been deferred until after the morning skate today.

"That's when the real decision is going to have to [be made]," he said.

Still, coach Michel Therrien allowed that Talbot "looked pretty good" during the workout yesterday and that, "it's nice to see him back practicing with the boys."

Talbot was on the ice about 20 minutes before practice began and stayed long after it had ended, playing two-on-two with the guys who generally are healthy scratches.

Therrien did not divulge what personnel moves could be made if he decides to use Talbot tonight. None of the Penguins' forwards have played their way out of the lineup and, although Marian Hossa and Gary Roberts were excused from practice yesterday, there's no indication either will be unable to dress for Game 2.

The Penguins were 2-1 in the games Talbot missed, and it's conceivable that Therrien will be reluctant to tamper with a lineup that has been successful. Indeed, Roberts was ready to return from a groin problem during the Rangers' series several days before Talbot's injury opened a spot for him.

"If Therrien asks me to sit down for Game 2 because we won the last game, hey, I'll be more than happy to do it because we're winning," Talbot said. "That's what matters in the playoffs."

But, even though he's willing to remain in street clothes if Therrien decides it's in the team's best interest, Talbot won't necessarily enjoy it.

"I hate being in the box and watching the guys play," he said. "As much as it's fun that we're winning, and it's fun to watch the game -- it's fun to see [Evgeni Malkin] dangle four guys -- I would rather be on the bench and watch him do that.

"I'm happy we're winning, at least. That makes it a little easier. But you want to be there, you want to help the team win."

Talbot has one goal and one assist while averaging 12 minutes, 14 seconds of ice time in seven games this spring. He plays on the third and fourth lines and is an integral part of the Penguins' penalty-killing unit.

His high-energy style makes him hard to overlook, although his absence is less of an issue when the team isn't struggling.

"When you're winning, you don't miss a guy as much as if you were losing," right winger Georges Laraque said. "He's good defensively and he's good on the [penalty-kill], but so are Adam Hall and a lot of other guys."

Talbot volunteered that he doesn't like the idea of bumping someone from the lineup -- "You always think about your teammates," he said. "They're friends, and they're important to me" -- but, if he hadn't been hurt, there would be no question about whether he'd play in Game 2.

"Max was there when we were winning at first, too," winger Pascal Dupuis said. "He's played in the playoffs and played well."

Talbot has blocked eight shots in these playoffs, tying Malkin for second-most among their forwards. That would explain why his right skate has been fitted with a black plastic sleeve to protect the top of his foot in the event that another shot strikes him there.

And regardless of when he returns, Talbot hopes that neither his job description nor his playing time is significantly altered.

"If, during the season, I played 16, 17 minutes, if I say, 'Coach, I'm ready to play,' I'm going to expect to play 16 or 17 minutes, because that's what I can give," he said. "I want to help the team."