Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin ejected for slashing, could face ban

pittsburgh penguins Ahead evgeni malkin Received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for slashing cavalry guard Rasmus Dahlin in the head during the second period of Buffalo wins 5-1 Thursday.

Dahlin cross-checked Malkin near the Sabres’ net, and Malkin responded by swinging his stick in Dahlin’s face. Malkin then tried to fight by taking off his gloves, but officials intervened and removed Malkin from the ice.

Dahlin received a minor fine for cross-checking.

Penguins coach Dan Muse did not comment on Malkin’s penalty after the game.

The slash by Malkin could warrant supplemental discipline from the league. He has been suspended twice before in his career – a one-game ban for roughing in 2009 and a four-game suspension for cross-checking in 2022 – so there is history that the NHL’s Department of Player Safety can make a decision on.

“Hopefully, he served his time [Thursday] And that’s all,” Defenseman eric carlson Said. “He’s a big part of this team. He’s playing great hockey and adds a different dimension to our offensive game.”

The 39-year-old Malkin has had a tremendous season with 13 goals and 47 points in 45 games as the Penguins are in a tight race for a playoff position in the Metropolitan Division. Entering Thursday, he had the No. 2 seed; New York Islanders They were tied on points, but Pittsburgh had two games in hand.

Losing Malkin for any length of time would be another blow to the Penguins’ top-six forward depth. They are already without a captain Sidney Crosby While he is recovering from a lower body injury he suffered while representing Team Canada at the Winter Olympics last month.

Pittsburgh initially said Crosby would be out four weeks.

If there’s a chance Malkin will be out of the lineup and Crosby will be out a few weeks, Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas may be encouraged to acquire another forward before then. nhl trade deadline Friday.

“I think we’ve shown all year that we’re a very deep team,” Carlson said. “We miss both of those guys, but it’s nothing we haven’t done before.”

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.