The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-2 over the Florida Panthers, but however lost star player Evgeni Malkin in the process.
In the third period with the Penguins in the lead, captain Sidney Crosby was focused on putting his team ahead with two goals on the power-play. He however injured Malkin as the Russian forward deflected his captain’s slap shot with his right knee.
Malkin was helped off the ice without putting pressure on his leg. The poor number 71 appeared to be in a lot of pain...
Despite ending the night early due to the lower-body injury, Malkin ended the night with the game-winning goal, deflected from Crosby's hurtful slap shot, and an assist.
After the game, the news sounds positive as head coach Mike Sullivan stated that the “preliminary prognosis is positive.” Crosby explained what happened, obviously worried about his teammate and the injury.
“It was one of those ones, I think got him in the right spot,” Crosby said. “He looked like he was in a lot of pain. … I think it got him pretty good, but hopefully, nothing that’s going to keep him out. If you are going to get hit, at least get a goal out of it.”
The Penguins play the Hurricanes in Carolina next on Sunday. That allows Malkin to rest his right knee and possibly get back on the ice for the contest.
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