Penguins lose Evgeni Malkin due to injury.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost one of their top forwards.

On Sunday, just hours before their matchup against the Dallas Stars, the Penguins officially announced that Malkin will miss tonight's game due to injury. The Penguins are describing this as an upper body injury, one that is expected to keep Malkin out only for the short term.

The Penguins did not provide an exact timeline for Malkin's return, only listing him as day to day which usually signals a short term absence rather than a longer term one.

This is of course a huge blow to the Penguins who have surprised many with their strong play this season, strong play that has them currently sitting in the top half of the National Hockey League's Metropolitan Division ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Malkin was having a season that can only be described as a return to form after two seasons in which his production dipped significantly. After putting up just 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points in 68 games last season, Malkin was well on his way to eclipsing those totals this season with 8 goals and 21 assists for 29 points in just 26 games played this season.

The biggest concern here will be fans hoping that this injury does not derail the incredible momentum that Malkin seemed to have behind him this far this season.