Penguins center Evgeni Malkin participated in the team's morning skate today at Mellon Arena and is expected to play tonight against Atlanta.

Malkin, who leads the NHL with 97 points, sat out Monday's practice because of an unspecified illness. He was on the ice 15 minutes early for the morning skate and indicated briefly afterward that he is good to go.

"He came in with a smile on his face, and I think that means he's feeling better," Penguins interim coach Dan Bylsma said.