Evgeni Malkin Out 2-3 Weeks With Shoulder Strain

“Geno is going to be out of the lineup for a couple of weeks,” Bylsma said. “He strained his shoulder about 10 days or so ago. I don’t know the exact day. It is precautionary for the player. We are worried about the safety of the shoulder. A couple weeks of rest and rehab will get that thing healthy so he can get back onto the ice.
Befitting a player who had played 254 consecutive regular-season games through Wednesday’s action, Malkin was naturally disappointed by the news.
“Obviously he has played with it 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.”

Malkin had been playing with the injury the past few games and apparently feels he could have kept going, but the team wants him to get fully healthy before getting back on the ice. This is also not the same injury that forced Malkin to miss time in his rookie season.