Injured forward Evgeni Malkin is with the Pittsburgh Penguins on their two-game road trip.

"He had limited contact," coach Mike Sullivan said after practice Wednesday. "It wasn't full contact, but it was limited. We're trying to slowly introduce him into some of the battles to make sure we give him the best chance to recover the right way.

"He's making progress. That's encouraging. We'll take it day to day."

The Penguins play at the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; ROOT, ALT, NHL.TV) and at the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday.

Malkin has 22 goals and 32 assists and with 54 points was tied for second in the NHL when he was injured. He is now tied for fifth, six points behind teammate Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers.

Pittsburgh is 3-1-1 in the five games Malkin has missed.

Forward Carl Hagelin (concussion) did not travel with the Penguins but could join them during the trip.