Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin Suspended Five Games For Slashing

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without a cornerstone of the lineup for the short-term. Forward Evgeni Malkin has been suspended for five games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for slashing Buffalo Sabres’ defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the face. He will be eligible to return on March 16th, when the Penguins face the Colorado Avalanche.

Malkin has been suspended twice in his career. His first was a one-game suspension for slashing opponents in the head during a Penguins versus Flyers matchup on February 11th, 2019. The second was a four-game suspension handed out on April 11, 2022 for cross-checking an opponent in the face. With Malkin’s track record in mind, he will now land the longest suspension of his career, and forfeit $158,854.15 in salary, while Buffalo appreciates the silver lining that Dahlin wasn’t seriously injured on the play.

Malkin is an important piece of the offense when he’s in the lineup. He has averaged 17:29 in ice time this season – a career-low – but still sees upwards of 20 minutes a night when the Penguins lean into their veteran leaders. Malkin has scored 13 goals and 47 points in 46 games this season, making him one of only two Penguins still scoring above a point-per-game pace alongside Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh will need to find a way to replace that offense now that Malkin will miss time.

Pittsburgh has recalled winger Ville Koivunen from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to try and bridge that gap. Koivunen has scored 33 points in 28 AHL games this season but only has five points in 27 NHL games to go with it. He is still searching for a spark and could find one in a top-nine role with Malkin out. Pittsburgh is also carrying Kevin Hayes and newcomer Elmer Soderblom as extra forwards after the Trade Deadline. Hayes has scored five points in 25 games this season, while Soderblom had three points in 39 games with Detroit.