"Zbynek Michalek wasn't having a gangbusters start to the season, save for being part of a near-perfect penalty-killing squad.

Things took a turn for the worse for the Penguins defenseman Saturday when a point-blank slap shot taken by New Jersey's Rod Pelley felled Michalek and left him with a broken finger on his right hand.

That happened with 9:18 left in regulation. It was Michalek's team-leading 17th blocked shot, but it will be his last for a while.

Coach Dan Bylsma said Monday that Michalek won't need surgery but will miss four to six weeks, making him just the latest in a long list of Penguins regulars who have been hurt this season or last."