Evgeni Malkin suspended 5 games for slashing Rasmus Dahlin - ESPN

Pittsburgh forward Evgeni Malkin has been suspended five games for slashing Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during Thursday's game between the Penguins and Sabres. He will forfeit $158,854.15 in salary.

Malkin was given a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for the play, which occurred early in the second period of Thursday's matchup. The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced its verdict on Friday following a phone hearing earlier in the day with Malkin.

The Penguins' veteran engaged with Dahlin next to the Sabres' net after the defenseman hit him with a cross-check. The official signaled a penalty coming to Dahlin but Malkin still retaliated by slashing Dahlin in the head with his stick. Malkin then further dropped his gloves with the intention of fighting Dahlin, but the referees stepped in and escorted Malkin from the ice.

In an explanation of their decision, the Department of Player Safety cited Malkin's clear intentions and history of plays like this one for the lengthy ban.

«This is not the case of an off-balance player bringing his stick down without control or result of a player who's 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 of Player Safety said. «This is an intentional stick swing that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height and that is delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline.»

Malkin has been fined five times before and suspended twice in his career (in 2009 for roughing and 2022 for crosschecking), and he's prone to stick-related infractions (including one fine for slashing earlier this season).

It's a tough blow for Pittsburgh to lose Malkin. Captain