Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will miss "a couple weeks" because of a strained right shoulder, coach Dan Bylsma announced after practice today at Mellon Arena.

Malkin is tied with Sidney Crosby for the team scoring lead with 14 points. Last season, he won the NHL regular-season and playoff scoring titles and was the playoff MVP as he helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup.

Bylsma said Malkin has been playing despite the shoulder injury but the decision was made to pull him out of the lineup as a precaution so he can return at full strength.

Malkin had an assist and six shots last night in a 6-1 win over Montreal.

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