Up 3-1 in the third period, at home, against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has been making a move in the standings, the Penguins collapsed and ultimately fell in a shootout, 4-3.

Pittsburgh Penguins veteran center Evgeni Malkin, 38, who had not missed a game since the 2021-22 season -- a streak of 209 contests -- did not play in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena with an upper-body injury.

With both teams in the midst of the postseason race near the midway point, tonight's game takes on added importance