Malkin week-to-week with lower-body injury

It appears Evgeni Malkin will miss more time than originally expected.

The Pittsburgh Penguins star was ruled out for the club's next three games Thursday, but he's now considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury, head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Friday.

Malkin, 34, took a heavy hit from Boston Bruins defenseman Jarred Tinordi during Tuesday's contest. He returned for one shift after the collision before exiting the game.

The 6-foot-3 sniper had been heating up following a slow start to the season. He recorded four goals and eight assists over an eight-game point streak entering Tuesday's tilt with the Bruins.

The Penguins enter Friday's action sitting fourth in the East Division based on points percentage.