There was a big loss in Pittsburgh over the weekend.
No, I'm not talking about the Steelers losing Super Bowl XLV. I'm referring to the Pittsburgh Penguins losing Evgeni Malkin with a Torn ACL & MCL in Friday night's game against Buffalo.
Malkin suffered the injury at the start of the 2nd period when Tyler Myers drove him into the boards and landed awkwardly along his leg.
It's bad enough that the Penguins are missing Sidney Crosby due to a concussion. Add the loss of Malkin to the list and that is a 1-2 punch that can't be replaced.
One good thing about the timing of the injury is that it happened before the trade deadline so GM Ray Shero can shop around and try to find a player to play on the 2nd line. Granted he won't find anyone as good as Malkin but finding a serviceable player should help the depth of the Penguins.
Either way with both Crosby & Malkin out of the lineup it's going to be hard for the Penguins to win the Atlantic Division and have home ice in the 1st round.
Here is this week's Power Poll.
1. Vancouver 34 10 9 77 points
Three game winning streak out of the All-Star break puts the Canucks back on top in the NHL.
2. Philadelphia 35 13 5 75 points
With the injuries to Crosby & Malkin, the Flyers should win the Atlantic Division.
3. Pittsburgh 34 16 4 72 points
Crosby not expected to return until March.
4. Tampa Bay 33 16 5 71 points
Nice Sunday for Steven Stamkos (1G, 3A) in win over St. Louis.
5. Detroit 31 15 6 68 points
Five goal game for Johan Franzen first one in the NHL since 2007.
6. Washington 29 15 10 68 points
Shuts out Pittsburgh 3-0 in 1st meeting since Winter Classic.
7. Boston 30 16 7 67 points
Marc Savard out for season with a concussion, big loss for the Bruins.
8. Dallas 30 18 5 65 points
Stars are 1-5 since January 20th.
9. Montreal 30 19 5 65 points
1st place in the Northeast on the line in boston Tuesday night.
10. Nashville 28 18 7 63 points
Predators have the best goals against average (1.91) on home ice in the NHL.
11. San Jose 28 19 6 62 points
Sharks are in position to make a move in the Pacific Division.
12. N.Y. Rangers 29 22 4 62 points
Rangers are winless in their last four games (0-3-1)
13. Anaheim 29 21 4 62 points
Ducks sign Goaltender Ray Emery to contract pending waivers.
14. Phoenix 26 19 9 61 points
Forward Taylor Pyatt tied for third in the NHL in game-winning goals with six.
15. Los Angeles 29 22 2 60 points
Next three games (Pittsburgh, Washington & Philadelphia) will be a good test for the Kings.
16. Minnesota 27 20 5 59 points
Wild are 4-18-1 when allowing the 1st goal of the game.
17. Calgary 26 21 7 59 points
Look who's back in the playoff race.
18. Chicago 27 21 4 58 points
Hawks are winning agmes but so are the teams around them.
19. Carolina 26 21 6 58 points
Five game road trip could be a factor whether or not the Hurricanes make the post-season.
20. Atlanta 24 21 10 58 points
Dustin Byfuglien hasn't scored a point since January 2nd.
21. Colorado 25 21 6 56 points
It's official: Peter Forsberg is making another comeback with the Avalanche.
22. Columbus 25 22 5 55 points
Blue Jackets are 5-3-2 in their last ten games.
23. St. Louis 23 20 8 54 points
Jaroslav Halak (Upper body injury) looks to return in net on Tuesday aginst Florida.
24. Buffalo 24 22 5 53 points
Sabres are 10-4-1 in their last 15 games.
25. Florida 23 23 6 52 points
GM Dale Tallon is willing to listen to all offers to improve the Panthers.
26. Toronto 21 26 5 47 points
When Clarke MacArthur leads the team in points (16G, 26A) you probably won't be playing in the spring.
27. New Jersey 19 30 4 42 points
I wonder how good the devils would be if Jacques Lemaire started the season as head coach.
28. Ottawa 17 28 8 42 points
Senators head out west 0-3 since All-Star break.
29. N.Y. Islanders 17 28 7 41 points
Maybe Rick Dipietro shouldn't be fighting with as fragile as he is.
30. Edmonton 15 29 8 38 points
Four game losing streak has the Oilers last in the NHL.
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