Penguins star center Malkin out for two weeks with upper-body injury

Philadelphia, PA, United States (4E Sports) – Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will be out for one to two weeks due to an upper-body injury.

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma did not mention the precise nature of Malkin’s injury but he clarified that the reigning NHL Most Valuable Player does not have a concussion.

Bylsma made the announcement after the Malkin-less Penguins beat the New York Islanders, 6-1, Sunday at Consol Energy Center.

“That is not a concern, no,” Bylsma said. “Just an upper-body injury. It will be one-to-two weeks, approximately, he will be out.”

A two-time Art Ross Trophy winner, Malkin has 24 points (five goals, 19 assists) in 21 games this season.

Malkin did not play the final 2:20 of regulation and during overtime of Pittsburgh’s 5-4 shootout win in Toronto Saturday after absorbing a hit from Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk along the boards in the neutral zone.

After the game, Bylsma said Malkin was held out of overtime and the shootout for “precautionary” reasons.

Earlier, Malkin was sidelined for four games due to a concussion sustained in the third period of a win against the Florida Panthers on Feb. 22.

Atlantic Division-leading Pittsburgh extended its winning streak to five and improved to 3-2 without Malkin this season with its victory Sunday.

At 18-8-0 overall, the Penguins trail the Montreal Canadiens by two points in the race for the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.

Joe Vitale took Malkin’s place in the lineup Sunday, centering the fourth line.

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