Saturday, February 05, 2011

Malkin tears MCL and ACL; feared out for season

by Jeffrey Kruczynski
Special to the Phanatic

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma announced Saturday that center Evgeni Malkin suffered a torn ACL and MCL during Friday's game against Buffalo.

Malkin got hurt in a second-period collision with Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers while the tandem were racing for a loose puck in the corner. He was helped off the ice and into the locker room.

An MRI taken Saturday morning revealed the tears.

Bylsma said the team is discussing options with the doctors on the next course of action. Though neither the team nor its medical staff revealed a timetable for recovery, the typical rehabilitation period for an ACL tear is 4-to-6 months.

It was a stunning turn of events for the 24-year-old, who returned to the lineup after missing five games because of a sinus infection and knee problem.

Malkin had not played since January 18 against Detroit and also missed the All-Star Game last weekend because of the issue.

The 2009 Conn Smythe Trophy winner has 15 goals and 37 points in 43 games this season.
 

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