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Penguins con-cursed

Malkin to miss game with possible concussion

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 02/24/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Gene J. Puskar / the associated press archives Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin, who has 21 points, will sit out today�s game against Tampa Bay. (CP)

PITTSBURGH -- Reigning NHL MVP Evgeni Malkin is still undergoing tests following a scary crash into the boards during Friday night's 3-1 win over Florida.

The Pittsburgh Penguins star will miss at least one game.

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma ruled Malkin out for today's game against Tampa Bay. Bylsma declined to elaborate on the nature of what is being called an "upper body" injury but added that Malkin is not hospitalized.

"He's still getting evaluated as to the extent of the hit and going into the boards hard," Bylsma said Saturday. "That's an ongoing process at this point in time

"He's getting evaluated and we're waiting to see how he feels and reacts. He obviously went into the boards pretty darn hard."

Pittsburgh's second-leading scorer slammed hard into the end boards early in the third period against the Panthers after getting nudged by Florida's Erik Gudbranson.

Malkin's back hit the boards at full speed and his head snapped back upon impact. He skated off the ice under his own power but did not participate in an optional skate on Saturday morning.

Bylsma said the club was following "NHL protocols" and will monitor how Malkin recovers before giving any sort of timetable on when he might return.

The 26-year-old Russian, who led the NHL in points last season, has four goals and 17 assists for Pittsburgh.

Linemate James Neal called it a "tough hit." Gudbranson was not penalized for the play.

DiPietro to make

$4.5M in minors

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro has cleared waivers and been assigned to Bridgeport, the team's American Hockey League affiliate.

In announcing the move on Saturday before their game at Buffalo, the Islanders also recalled goalie Kevin Poulin from Bridgeport. Poulin is expected to take over the role of backup behind starter Evgeni Nabokov. Poulin has a 6-6-1 record in 16 career games with the Islanders over the previous two seasons.

DiPietro's demotion is the latest blow to the career of an oft-injured player, who's failed to play up to the 15-year, $67.5 million contract he signed before the 2006-07 season.

This season, DiPietro is 0-3 with a 4.09 goals-against average in three games.

There are still eight years at $4.5 million per season remaining on DiPietro's landmark deal.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 24, 2013 B2

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