Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin skates to the locker room during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers in Pittsburgh on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013.The Associated Press
Evgeni Malkin does indeed have a concussion, the Pittsburgh Penguins finally admitted, complete with short-term memory loss.
The star centre missed Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and he will not go on the Penguins' three-game road trip this week. But it is not known how long he will be out of the lineup. Malkin was injured last Friday in a game against the Florida Panthers when he fell and slid into the boards at top speed.
Initially, Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma downplayed a media report Malkin suffered severe headaches and mild disorientation over the weekend. But Sunday night Bylsma said the injury was now considered a concussion.
"After the hit Evgeni suffered some short-term memory loss and therefore was diagnosed with a concussion," Bylsma said. "He's had no other symptoms. He's feeling fine and his memory is returning."