Penguins activate Kindel and Girard off injured reserve

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced Thursday that forward Ben Kindel and defenceman Sam Girard have been activated from injured reserve. Kindel is expected to return after recovering from a vasovagal episode that caused him to collapse on a team flight. Head coach Dan Muse also indicated that forwards Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov are expected to be available for Thursday's game against Utah.

Girard remains a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup after missing three games with a lower-body injury suffered against the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 17. The 27-year-old defenceman has posted seven points in nine games this season. Kindel, 19, has recorded two assists in nine appearances during the campaign.