PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin's lower-body injury will keep him out at least the rest of the week.

Coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday that Malkin will miss Wednesday's game against the New York Rangers and a road trip through Carolina and Florida this weekend. The four-time All-Star has missed each of Pittsburgh's last three games after initially sustaining the injury last week.

Sullivan said the injury is not long term but that Malkin is no longer "day to day" as the team had previously assessed. Malkin has 23 goals and 26 assists in 49 games this season for Pittsburgh, which has won six of seven to move into third in the crowded Metropolitan Division.

Malkin will stay behind during the team's road trip to work with the training staff. The next chance for Malkin to play will be on Feb. 18 against Detroit.