The suspension for his actions Thursday is the third of Evgeni Malkin’s career. Bob Frid / Imagn Images
March 6, 2026Updated 8:41 pm EST
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has been suspended for five games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the head and neck during Thursday night’s game.
The NHL made the announcement following Malkin’s 6 p.m. meeting with the Department of Player Safety on Friday. It marks the third time in Malkin’s career the notoriously hot-tempered veteran has been suspended.
He is eligible to return March 16 against the Colorado Avalanche.
It could not have come at a worse time for the Penguins, who continue to play without injured captain Sidney Crosby. The Penguins, currently tied for second place in the Metropolitan Division with the New York Islanders but only three points ahead of the surging Columbus Blue Jackets, host the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
Crosby did return to practice on a non-contact basis Friday, and it appears possible he could return to the lineup next week. Because Crosby was technically practicing in a non-contact capacity, he wasn’t available to meet with the media.
Malkin, the 2012 Hart Trophy and 2009 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, is in his 20th season in Pittsburgh, racking up 527 goals and 1,393 points. In the final season of his contract, he has produced 13 goals and 47 points in 46 games. He did not speak with the media Thursday night following the Penguins’ 5-1 setback to the Sabres, nor was he available to speak following Friday’s optional practice, in which he did not participate.
The 39-year-old Malkin recently met with Penguins president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas to discuss the possibility of returning to Pittsburgh after this season. Dubas also recently spoke with Malkin’s agent, J.P. Barry, regarding the same topic. No contract terms were specifically discussed, however, and all parties agreed to reconvene following this season.
Mar 7, 2026
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