Penguins' Evgeni Malkin: Officially out Sunday

Malkin (upper body) will miss Sunday's game against the Flyers, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis:

Coach Mike Sullivan suggested after Sunday's morning skate that Malkin's absence was "just part of the rehab process," but has yet to provide a concrete timeline for the star forward's return. The Penguins have every reason to hold him out as they prepare for the postseason, an unfortunate outcome for his season-long fantasy owners. While his next chance to retake the ice comes Wednesday against the Blackhawks, nothing has surfaced at this point to suggest he will. Nick Bonino should once again serve in a top-six role and has totaled three goals in the five games Malkin has been sidelined.