Evgeni Malkin Can't Shoulder it Any More

Pittsburgh Penguins fans should rest assured as coach Dan Bylsma stressed that the recent shoulder injury to superstar Evgeni Malkin is not serious. The reining Art Ross Trophy Winner who last spring became the first European to win the Conn Smythe Trophy will be out of action for   approximately three weeks due to a shoulder strain. Bylsma used the word precautionary when describing the reason why Malkin who hurt the shoulder ten days ago was going on the disabled list. “Obviously he has played with it (shoulder woes) and could gut it out, which is what Geno would be apt to do,” Bylsma said. “At this time of the year the concern is the player and this is a precautionary measure.” On Friday night when the Penguins are in Columbus to play the Blue Jackets it will snap Malkin’s streak of playing in 254 consecutive games. Malkin who has scored 14 points in 12 games is not concerned with the streak ending and just wants to support his teammates while resting on the sidelines. “I feel good,” Malkin who scored 113 points last year said. “I’ll be watching and supporting the team on the trip. It’ll be fine.” Pittsburgh who are first in the Eastern Conference with a 10-2 start face their first bit of controversy this season.