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Bylsma: Malkin has concussion
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Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has been diagnosed with a concussion and will miss at least the upcoming three-game road trip, coach Dan Bylsma said tonight.
Malkin, 26, the defending NHL scoring champion and MVP, did not play in the team's game against Tampa Bay at Consol Energy Center or participate in the morning skate.
Malkin's back and head slammed into the end boards and his neck snapped violently in the third period of a game Friday night after he was checked by Florida defenseman Erik Gudbranson.
Bylsma said Malkin had some short-term memory loss after the hit, although that has now returned. Bylsma said Malkin did not have headaches or disorientation, which can be concussion symptoms.
As per NHL protocol and the latest in treatment of concussion, Malkin will need to be free of symptoms and get medical clearance before he can skate, practice, have contact and, finally, return to the lineup.
Penguins team captain Sidney Crosby spent the better part of a year and a half, starting in January 2011, sitting out because of a concussion and neck injury.
He has spoken to Malkin but hasn't stepped in with advice.
"I just asked him how he's doing," Crosby said. "I'd probably give him a headache if I started trying to explain all the stuff I went through.
"I think that as a teammate, as a friend, I just ask him how he's feeling. It's too early for telling him my life story. I think it's just more or less being there for him.
"We'll see. From what I heard, he's feeling better [Sunday], so that's good."
Bylsma also said Malkin is feeling "pretty good right now."
First Published February 24, 2013 11:04 pm
