PITTSBURGH(AP) -- NHL scoring champion Evgeni Malkin will be lost
to the Pittsburgh Penguins for two to three weeks because of a
strained right shoulder.
Malkin had been attempting to play through the injury, but coach
Dan Bylsma said the team decided to rest the center. The Russian
star would miss seven games if he is out two weeks and 10 games
if he is out three.
"He strained his shoulder about 10 days or so ago," Bylsma said
on Thursday. "I don't know the exact day. It is precautionary
for the player. We are worried about the safety of the shoulder.
A couple of weeks of rest and rehab will get that thing
healthy."
The injury will end Malkin's streak of 254 consecutive
regular-season games played. The Penguins play Friday at
Columbus.
"It's early in the season. It's fine," Malkin said. "I feel
good. It's not a big problem."
Malkin is tied with Sidney Crosby for the team lead in scoring
with 14 points - four goals and 10 assists in 12 games. Malkin
had one assist during a 6-1 victory over Montreal on Wednesday
night, Pittsburgh's eighth win in nine games.
Last season, Malkin was the MVP of the playoffs, getting 14
goals and 22 assists in 24 playoff games while helping the
Penguins win the Stanley Cup. He edged Washington's Alex
Ovechkin 113-110 for the regular-season scoring title.
Penguins forward Tyler Kennedy won't play in Columbus due to an
undisclosed injury that also kept him out of the Montreal game.
Kennedy has scored five goals.
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