PITTSBURGH — Maybe it’s not exactly the way Dylan McIlrath wanted to get his NHL postseason debut, but he’ll take it.

The Rangers rookie defenseman likely will play in Game 2 of the first-round series against the Penguins on Saturday afternoon as longtime stalwart Dan Girardi will be out with an injury that coach Alain Vigneault couldn’t describe as upper- or lower-body, but: “The whole thing.”

“Dan is out,” Vigneault said, “due to injury.”

The bruising 6-foot-5, 230-pound McIlrath most recently played the final three games of the regular season, finishing with 34 games total. He brings an element of physicality that his teammates love, and he was borderline giddy to get the chance to play.

“I feel ready,” McIlrath said. “I’m hungry. I’m very excited.”

McIlrath made the team out of training camp, but was in and out of the lineup all season. His longest run was 11 straight games in December when Kevin Klein was hurt. He dealt with a kneecap injury suffered on a hit from the Islanders’ Cal Clutterbuck on March 6, but got those final three games as a tuneup for the postseason.

“I think I’ve learned a lot,” McIlrath said. “It’s been a great year to take everything in and develop. The last stretch of games I really feel comfortable playing a lot of minutes. Then coming into playoffs, I’m just hungry to help the team win.”

McIlrath likely will pair with Keith Yandle, while Marc Staal will go with Klein as the duo matching up against Sidney Crosby. Another rookie defenseman, Brady Skjei, likely would stay paired with 39-year-old veteran Dan Boyle.

“I do believe he’s only going to get better,” Vigneault said of the 22-year-old Skjei, who now has eight NHL games under his belt. “I mean, his skating is National League. He moves the puck well. I think he was probably nervous in that one. He’ll probably be better in the next one.”

There is a good chance the Penguins could have former league MVP Evgeni Malkin back in the lineup for Game 2. He practiced with the team for a second straight day as he recovers from his presumed left hand or wrist injury.

Coach Mike Sullivan hardly gave any indication if Malkin is ready, but did put him on the top power-play unit and had him skating on a line between Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary.

“It was a good practice,” Malkin said. “I’m very happy because coach let me play power-play a little bit, too, so I feel more confident right now. It’s exciting to play with the team, with the guys. It’s the playoffs and it’s a short time to come back, but everything feels good.”

Malkin sounded a bit indecisive about playing Saturday — either honestly, or as a mandate from the tight-lipped Sullivan.

“I can’t say too much right now, but it’s a game-time decision,” Malkin said.

Also practicing for Pittsburgh again was starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who was a surprising scratch for Game 1 as he recovers from his second concussion of the season. Though he’s skated every day since Monday, his availability seems unlikely.

“I don’t know if I expect to, but I would love to,” Fleury said. “Feels like it’s been taking forever. Something with this injury, it’s tough to play with. It’s not like a bruise or something you can battle through. It’s frustrating, but it’s making progress.”

Ron Greschner will be at Empire City Casino on Saturday from 2-5 p.m. The 16-season fixture on the Rangers defense (1974-90) will meet and greet fans at Dan Rooney’s Sports Pub and watch Rangers-Penguins Game 2.