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Pens coach: Malkin has short-term memory loss

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Penguins head trainer Chris Stewart helps center Evgeni Malkin after he was hit by Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson in the third period on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at Consol Energy Center.
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By Rob Rossi

Published: Sunday, February 24, 2013, 2:51 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, April 6, 2013

Evgeni Malkin has a concussion and short-term memory loss, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said Sunday night.

“He is feeling fine and his memory is returning,” Bylsma said. “The short-term memory in instances he didn't remember is returning.”

Malkin was injured Friday night on a hard collision into the boards during a win at home over Florida.

Bylsma said Sunday night that Malkin's symptoms are limited specifically to the memory loss.

Multiple sources told the Tribune-Review that Malkin was also experiencing severe headaches and disorientation Saturday morning.

Malkin did not play Sunday in a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Consol Energy Center. He will not play this week on a three-game road trip, Bylsma said.

Several teammates, including captain Sidney Crosby, spoke with Malkin late Saturday afternoon. Malkin described himself then as “feeling better,” Crosby said.

Malkin, as he has in the past with injuries, lobbied the Penguins to play against Tampa Bay, multiple team officials said. He also tried to return early from knee-ligament surgery to play in Game 7 of a 2011 first-round playoff series.

He was injured Friday with 15:09 left in regulation of the Penguins' home win over the Florida Panthers. He didn't finish the game after sliding into the end boards following a hit by Florida defenseman Erik Gudbranson. The back of Malkin's head appeared to bounce off the boards, and his neck snapped back in a whiplash-like motion.

Staff writer Josh Yohe contributed. Rob Rossi is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at rrossi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @RobRossi_Trib.

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