Crosby, signed through 2026-27, has repeatedly said he will play only for the Penguins. He and Malkin are the franchise leaders in games played and join Lemieux as the only players in franchise history to win the Hart and Conn Smythe trophies and multiple scoring titles.

Bryan Rust also said he expects to play Saturday. The forward missed a 3-2 loss at the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 8 with a lower-body injury and has 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 48 games, third on the Penguins behind Crosby (58 points) and Rickard Rakell (48).

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin is set to return to the lineup after missing the past six games due to a lower-body ailment, reports Rob Rossi of The Athletic.