Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin has been suspended five games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. ESPN NHL Insight The incident occurred during Thursday’s matchup between the two teams, resulting in Malkin receiving a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct early in the second period. He will forfeit $158,854.15 in salary due to the ban. The Penguins now face challenges without one of their top performers.
Malkin, 39, has been a key contributor this season with 13 goals and 47 points in 45 games. The suspension adds to Pittsburgh’s injury woes, as captain Sidney Crosby remains sidelined with a lower-body issue. NY Times Following our coverage of the ejection, the league acted swiftly after a phone hearing on Friday.
The incident unfolds
The clash happened next to the Sabres’ net. Dahlin hit Malkin with a cross-check, prompting the official to signal a penalty against the defenseman. Despite this, Malkin retaliated by slashing Dahlin in the head with his stick.
Malkin then dropped his gloves, intending to fight, but referees intervened and escorted him off the ice. The play drew immediate attention for its dangerous nature, with the slash landing at head height. YouTube
Video clips circulated widely, showing the clear intent behind the swing. Fans and analysts debated the severity on social media, especially given Malkin’s veteran status.
Pittsburgh went on to play the rest of the game without him, highlighting the immediate roster impact.
Department of player safety’s explanation
The NHL’s verdict emphasized Malkin’s intentions. “This is not the case of an off-balance player bringing his stick down without control or result of a player whose movements were directly influenced by the opposing player, nor is it the case of a careless player accidentally making contact with an opponent,” the department stated.
They described it as “an intentional stick swing that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height and that is delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline.”
This reasoning factored in the play’s context and Malkin’s history, leading to the five-game length.
The announcement came on Friday, aligning with the trade deadline.
Malkin’s disciplinary history
Malkin has faced discipline multiple times in his career. He has been fined five times previously and suspended twice—once in 2009 for roughing and again in 2022 for cross-checking.
Stick-related infractions are a pattern, including a fine earlier this season for slashing Winnipeg’s Logan Stanley. NHL
Here’s a quick overview of notable incidents:
- 2009: Suspended for roughing
- 2022: Suspended for cross-checking
- Earlier 2026: Fined $5,000 max for slashing Logan Stanley Reddit
- Multiple other fines totaling five
This history likely influenced the suspension’s duration.
Impact on the Penguins
The ban is a significant blow for Pittsburgh. They sit second in the Metropolitan Division but are in a tight race with the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets.
GM Kyle Dubas acted at the trade deadline, acquiring forward Elmer Soderblom from Detroit for a 2026 third-round pick. He also recalled Ville Koivunen from the AHL.
Dubas admitted initial frustration: “I think you probably go through the same reaction that anybody that follows a team every day does. Which is, at first, you’re a little emotional about what the impact on the team would be, and then think it’s my job to immediately get away from that and get back to, okay, what’s the plan?”
Crosby skated Friday but his return isn’t imminent.
For more on Malkin’s prior fine, see the official NHL announcement.
Looking ahead for Pittsburgh
Questions linger about Malkin’s contract extension. The restricted free agent this summer, Dubas has stressed decisions based on “what’s best” for the Penguins.
Malkin is eligible to return March 16 against the Colorado Avalanche. His absence tests the team’s depth at a critical juncture.
Pittsburgh’s response through trades and recalls shows resilience. Success without him could shape roster choices moving forward.
The Penguins must navigate this stretch carefully to hold their divisional spot. Fans will watch closely for any momentum shifts. Post-Gazette
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.