The Pittsburgh Penguins earned an important victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday but it came at a cost. Evgeni Malkin left the game early in the second period and didn’t return.
Malkin left the ice in discomfort after bumping with Columbus defenseman Dalton Prout behind the net less than two minutes into the second period.
Pittsburgh’s star forward played one more shift, assisting on what would be the eventual winning goal from Carl Hagelin, then left the game and didn’t return.
The Penguins held on for a 3-2 victory over the Blue Jackets to move one point up on the Detroit Red Wings for the first Wild Card spot in the East. They also stay three points up on the Philadelphia Flyers, who also won Friday.
Coach Sullivan on Evgeni Malkin: "He will be evaluated tomorrow."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 12, 2016
Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves and recorded his 350th career win.
The team also lost Scott Wilson in the third period after he fell into the boards. Brian Dumoulin left the game briefly, but did return to finish the contest.