Malkin Gets Major Penalty
Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin received a five-minute major and game misconduct for slashing Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin in the head during their game. The dangerous play resulted in an immediate ejection and could lead to supplemental discipline from the NHL.
This is not the first time Evgeni Malkin has faced supplemental discipline for a stick-related foul. The 39-year-old forward has been suspended twice before and fined five times during his 20-year NHL career. His history as a repeat offender was a significant factor in the length of this most recent suspension. Malkin's previous suspensions also involved dangerous use of his stick. In April 2022, he received a four-game ban for cross-checking Nashville's Mark Borowiecki in the face. In February 2019, he was suspended for one game for a high-sticking incident involving Philadelphia's Michael Raffl. The NHL's Department of Player Safety stated the slash on Dahlin was "an intentional stick swing that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height and that is delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline." The league's video explanation noted that Malkin was not off-balance and the contact was not accidental. The incident began after Dahlin cross-checked Malkin, for which Dahlin also received a minor penalty. Malkin retaliated with the slash to Dahlin's head and shoulder area. After the slash, Malkin dropped his gloves to initiate a fight, but Dahlin did not engage. As a result of the five-game suspension, Malkin will forfeit $158,854.15 in salary. That money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. He is eligible to return to the lineup on March 16 against the Colorado Avalanche. The Sabres scored on the ensuing five-minute power play, which turned out to be the game-winning goal in their 5-1 victory over the Penguins. Fortunately, Rasmus Dahlin was not seriously injured on the play and was able to finish the game.
