Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins has been suspended for five games by the NHL. The suspension follows an incident in a game against the Buffalo Sabres where Malkin slashed Rasmus Dahlin in the head with his stick. The slash hit Dahlin in the neck, and Malkin received a match penalty during the game.
According to ESPN, the 39-year-old Russian star will miss five matches. In accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union, Malkin is fined $158,000, which goes to the players' Emergency Assistance Fund. The suspension comes at a challenging time for the Penguins, who are currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division but are being chased by several teams close in the standings.
the incident did not look good and expected the league to review it for a possible suspension
The team is also without captain Sidney Crosby due to injury. Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff commented after the game that the incident did not look good and expected the league to review it for a possible suspension.