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Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson will replace Pittsburgh Penguins injured star Evgeni Malkin on the Metropolitan Division team in this weekend's NHL All-Star Game, the league announced on Thursday. Atkinson leads the Blue Jackets in goals (24) and points (46) while his assists (22) are second to Alexander Wennberg on the team.
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The 27-year-old Connecticut native, who has three goals in his last two games, is three tallies and seven points shy of matching last season's career-high totals.
Malkin sustained a lower-body injury during Tuesday's 3-0 setback to the St. Louis Blues and will be re-evaluated after the break, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Wednesday. The 30-year-old Russian saw his season-high seven-game point streak come to an end despite logging 18:27 of ice time versus the Blues.
Malkin will not be punished by the league for missing the contest, as he is also sitting out the game immediately preceding All-Star Weekend. Per NHL rules, players who pull out due to injury must sit for their team's contest before or immediately after the All-Star Game.
Malkin (22 goals, 32 assists) and Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby are tied for second place in the league with 54 points, trailing only Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
