Reuters
October 30, 2009 - 12:00 a.m. EST

PITTSBURGH (Reuters) - High-scoring Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin's unbroken run of 254 consecutive regular-season games has been ended by a shoulder injury.

Malkin, who has four goals and 10 assists in 12 games for the Stanley Cup champions this season, is out for two to three weeks with a strained right shoulder, the team said on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Russian, who claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy last season as the Stanley Cup MVP, has tried to play through the injury but was advised by the Penguins to rest.

"He strained his shoulder about 10 days or so ago," Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma told the team's website (penguins.nhl.com). "It is precautionary for the player.

"We are worried about the safety of the shoulder. A couple weeks of rest and rehab will get that thing healthy so he can get back on to the ice."

"I can play good but it's the early season," said Malkin. "I feel good. It's not a big problem and I'm fine."

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken Ferris)