Cam Atkinson to replace injured Malkin at NHL all-star game
Blue Jackets forward tied for 2nd in league with 24 goals
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin will not be playing the NHL all-star game on Sunday in Los Angeles due to an injury, the team confirmed Wednesday.
The NHL announced on Thursday​ that Malkin will be replaced by Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson. The 27-year-old leads Columbus and is tied for eighth in the league with 46 points in 47 games.
His 24 goals are tied with the Kings' Jeff Carter for second most in the NHL.
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/CamAtkinson13">@CamAtkinson13</a> it still counts if you don't go in the net. Using his go to move to ice it 45 pts in 46 GP. 8th in league scoring. đź™… <a href="https://t.co/c0FSNt2bhf">pic.twitter.com/c0FSNt2bhf</a>
—@HeyBarberThe Penguins confirmed that Malkin will also miss Thursday's game in Boston.
"[Malkin] is out for tomorrow's game and the all-star game with a lower-body injury," head coach Mike Sullivan said through the Penguins' Twitter account.Â
Coach: "Geno is out for tomorrow's game and the All-Star Game with a lower-body injury. Patric is day-to-day with a lower-body injury."
—@penguinsMalkin is currently tied for the team-lead with Sidney Crosby with 54 points — second overall in NHL scoring — three behind Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid.Â
With files from The Associated Press