Pittsburgh Penguins Franchise Star Suspended Amidst Tight Playoff Race

The NHL Department of Player Safety has announced that Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has been suspended five games for his slash to the head of Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin. As the hearing was over the phone, the maximum amount of games was five, and that is exactly what he received. He is also a repeat offender, last receiving a match penalty in 2019 for retaliating against Raffi Torres. His last suspension came in 2022, where he receieved four games for a cross-check on defenceman Mark Borowiecki. He’s always played with an edge, as many star players do to ensure their space on the ice. Sometimes it comes with a price.

Tensions Flare Against Buffalo

Already missing captain Sidney Crosby due to injury, the Penguins came into their game against the Sabres needing crucial points. They currently sit second in the Metropolitan Division, tied with the New York Islanders. The Columbus Blue Jackets, however, are just three points behind the Penguins. They have been red hot since firing Dean Evason and installing Rick Bowness as head coach. Coming into this game against Buffalo on a loss to the Boston Bruins, things were made worse when Malkin took a cross check from Dahlin and retaliated with a slash across the face and neck area of the Buffalo captain. The game was tied 1-1 at the time, and the Sabres would score on the ensuing power play before taking off from there en route to a 5-1 win over the Penguins.

A Suspension At the Worst Time

This may have been the worst time for Malkin to be suspended for the Penguins. With Sidney Crosby likely a couple of weeks away from returning, Pittsburgh’s centre depth was already being challenged. Losing Evgeni Malkin exacerbates this issue. In their stead, rookie Benjamin Kindel will need to step up. The 18-year-old forward will face a big challenge as the top centre remaining on the team’s depth chart. Fans can expect Blake Lizotte to receive increased time as well as Kevin Hayes. Rickard Rakell, regularly a winger, has been placed at centre in Crosby’s absence, and will have to continue playing the role with the absence of both of the team’s top forwards in a tight playoff race.