Penguins' Evgeni Malkin suspended 5 games for slashing Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin

King Jemison, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Mar 6, 2026

Published in Hockey

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PITTSBURGH — Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin has been suspended five games for slashing Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin in the head during Thursday’s game.

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced the suspension a few hours after Friday’s trade deadline. The Penguins recalled winger Ville Koivunen from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League in Malkin’s absence.

Upset that Dahlin cross-checked him from behind, Malkin turned around and swung his stick up high, making contact with the Sabres defenseman on the side of the helmet and shoulder.

“This is an intentional stick swing that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height, and that is delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline,” the video announcing Malkin’s suspension said.

Dahlin received a minor penalty for his part in the incident. Malkin received a minor penalty for cross-checking, major penalty for slashing and an ejection for game misconduct.

This was not the first time Malkin has been suspended for stick infractions. He received a one-game suspension for high-sticking in 2019 and a four-game ban for cross-checking Nashville's Mark Borowiecki in the face late in the 2022 season.

He has received multiple fines for similar behavior before, as well, including a $5,000 fine for slashing Winnipeg’s Logan Stanley (recently traded to Buffalo) in November. The Department of Player Safety said that Malkin’s history of past incidents was a factor in the suspension.

He will forfeit $158,854.15, with the money going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Malkin is in the midst of a resurgent season. He is tied for the team lead with 34 assists and second on the team with 47 points. The Penguins were counting on him to help fill the void left by Sidney Crosby’s absence, as the team’s captain is sidelined with a lower-body injury suffered at the Olympics.

But Crosby appears to be nearing a return. He skated in the Penguins’ optional practice Friday, though he has not been cleared for contact, coach Dan Muse said.

Malkin will be eligible to return March 16 at Colorado. He will miss home games against the Flyers and Bruins this weekend as well as road contests at Carolina, Vegas and Utah.

The Penguins sit second in the Metropolitan Division but have just a three-point advantage over Columbus in fourth place.