PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin, one of the team's leading scorers, will be out for two to three weeks with a strained shoulder.

Coach Dan Bylsma made the announcement after the Pens' Thursday morning practice, saying that the team decided to rest Malkin even though he had been playing with his injury.

The Pens beat Montreal 6-1 at Mellon Arena on Wednesday night. Malkin had an assist on Alex Goligoski's power-play goal in the third period.

It's unclear how or when Malkin got hurt. Depending on how long he sits out, he would miss seven games over two weeks and 10 games over three weeks.

Stay with us for updates and watch our report tonight on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

Malkin's left shoulder was dislocated in an on-ice collision in 2006. That injury did not require surgery but kept him out of action for four weeks.

The Pens said Malkin's latest injury is not the same one that sidelined him in 2006 and the team is just being cautious.

Malkin and Sidney Crosby each have a team-high 14 points this year for the Penguins.

u local - Penguins Fans Share Photos With WTAE Channel 4

Slideshow - Flip Through Photos Of Pens' Top Players