PITTSBURGH -- NHL scoring champion Evgeni Malkin will be lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins for two to three weeks because of a strained right shoulder.

Malkin has been attempting to play through the injury, but coach Dan Bylsma said the team decided to rest the center. The star Russian would miss seven games if he is out two weeks and 10 games if he is out three.

Malkin is tied with Sidney Crosby for the team lead in scoring with 14 points -- four goals and 10 assists in 12 games. He had one assist during the Penguins' 6-1 victory over Montreal on Wednesday night, Pittsburgh's eighth win in nine games.

Last season, Malkin was the MVP of the playoffs in helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup.