"Penguins coach Dan Bylsma showed Monday that he really is an elite manager of a hockey team.

His club's top healthy player, center Evgeni Malkin, did not practice that day. With an ailing right knee that was surgically repaired last season, perhaps Malkin physically needed a break.

Then again, maybe Malkin needed a mental break? His performance in a 4-3 loss at Toronto last Saturday certainly indicated as much. His goal and an assist were overshadowed by two careless penalties that resulted in power-plays goals by the Maple Leafs."