PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Having played every one of the Pens first 41 games, a surprise scratch before the Pens-Blue Jackets game Tuesday night. Evgeni Malkin was unable to play as he is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Pens head coach Mike Sullivan provided no other details after the game as to how it happened or how long he might be out.
Malkin had played every game since the 2021-22 season and according to Pens historian Bob Grove, it will snap a streak of Malkin and Sidney Crosby playing 209 consecutive games together. The longest mark of their careers.
The 38-year-old Malkin is the Pens sixth leading goal scorer with eight and third in points with 32. Malkin as three points in his last five games including a goal against the Islanders on December 29.
Tuesday night marked the first of five consecutive games at home.