Penguins’ Malkin ejected for aggression: Sanction and absence for Pittsburgh?

Evgeni Malkin Receives Penalty and Possible Suspension After Aggression

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin was assessed a five-minute major penalty and ejected from the game for attacking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. The incident occurred during the second period of the match, which ended with a 5-1 victory for the Sabres. Dahlin had cross-checked Malkin near the Sabres’ net, and Malkin responded by hitting Dahlin in the face with his stick. Malkin then tried to start a fight, but the referees intervened. Dahlin received a minor penalty for cross-checking.

Let’s hope his time is up [on Thursday] and that’s it.

Erik Karlsson

Penguins coach Dan Muse declined to comment on Malkin’s penalty after the game. Malkin’s aggression could result in an additional sanction from the league. Malkin has been suspended twice before in his career, once for one game in 2009 and another for four games in 2022. Malkin, 39, has had a standout season with 13 goals and 47 points in 45 games, as the Penguins fight for a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. The possible absence of Malkin, along with Sidney Crosby’s injury, could affect the Penguins’ offensive depth.