Malkin out Sunday, concussion symptoms reported

Evgeni Malkin will not play Sunday for the Pittsburgh Penguins and will continue to undergo further evaluation, coach Dan Bylsma announced after practice Saturday.

Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Saturday that Malkin is experiencing symptoms consistent with someone who has a concussion.

"He's still being evaluated as to the extent of the hit and going into the boards hard," Bylsma told reporters after practice. "That's an ongoing process at this point in time."

Malkin, the Hart Trophy winner last season, was injured Friday night in a 3-1 victory against the Florida Panthers. Florida defenseman Erik Gudbranson checked Malkin early in the third period, and the Penguins center fell awkwardly into the end boards.

Rossi reported Malkin is experiencing concussion symptoms, including "severe headache and mild disorientation."

The Penguins play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Sam Kasan of the team's website wrote that Brandon Sutter assumed Malkin's place on the second line in practice between James Neal and rookie Beau Bennett, Dustin Jeffrey moved into Sutter's spot on the third unit and Joe Vitale was centering the fourth line.

"There's nothing to expect from this point," Bylsma said of Malkin. "He's getting evaluated. We're waiting to see how he feels and reacts. He went into the boards pretty darn hard. We're not expecting any timeline to the injury or anything."