Pittsburgh Penguins veteran center Evgeni Malkin, 38, who had not missed a game since the 2021-22 season -- a streak of 209 contests -- did not play in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena with an upper-body injury.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin missed Tuesday’s home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with an upper-body injury.

Pittsburgh Penguins superstar forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin had been in the lineup for each of the team’s 164 games over the previous two seasons. And both campaigns ended with the Penguins failing to qualify for the postseason.