Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin ejected for slashing, could face ban

Pittsburgh Penguins ahead Evgeni Malkin acquired a 5-minute main penalty and a sport misconduct for slashing Buffalo Sabers defenseman Rasmus Dahlin within the head throughout the second interval of Thursday’s sport.

Dahlin cross-checked Malkin close to the Sabres’ internet, and Malkin responded by swinging his stick into Dahlin’s face. Malkin then tried to drop his gloves and combat, however officers stepped in and had Malkin ejected from the ice.

Dahlin acquired a minor penalty for cross-checking.

The slash by Malkin could warrant supplementary self-discipline from the league. He has been suspended twice beforehand in his profession — a one-game ban for roughing in 2009 and a four-game suspension for cross-checking in 2022 — so there’s historical past that the NHL’s Player Safety Department could issue into a call.

The 39-year-old Malkin has been having an incredible season with 13 objectives and 47 factors in 45 video games because the Penguins are in a decent race for playoff place within the Metropolitan Division. Although they at present maintain the No. 2 seed, the New York Islanders are tied with them on factors, however Pittsburgh has two video games in hand.

Losing Malkin for any size of time can be one other blow to the Penguins’ top-six ahead depth. They are already with out captain Sidney Crosby whereas he rehabs a lower-body harm suffered whereas representing Team Canada on the Winter Olympics final month.

Pittsburgh initially stated Crosby can be out 4 weeks.

If there’s an opportunity Malkin will likely be out of the lineup and Crosby stays weeks away, Pittsburgh common supervisor Kyle Dubas could be inspired to amass one other ahead earlier than the NHL trade deadline Friday.