The Canadian Press, with files from TSN.ca

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without star centre Evgeni Malkin for six-eight weeks the team announced on Saturday.

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Malkin left Friday night's victory in Columbus following a collision with Blue Jackets defenceman Dalton Prout in the second period of Pittsburgh's 3-2 victory.

Coach Mike Sullivan said Saturday that Malkin returned to Pittsburgh after the game while the team headed to New York.

Malkin is second on the team with 27 goals and 31 assists in 57 games for the Penguins, who occupy the top wild-card spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference.

Malkin missed 10 games earlier this season with an undisclosed injury. The team went 5-4-1 in his absence.