PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin has been suspended five games by the National Hockey League for slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during a game on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The suspension, announced Friday, will cost Malkin $158,854.15 in salary, according to the league.
The incident occurred during the second period of the Sabres’ 5-1 victory over the Penguins. Malkin was initially assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the slash, which struck Dahlin in the head. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety held a phone hearing with Malkin before issuing the suspension.
According to the Department of Player Safety, the suspension stems from Malkin’s intentional actions. The league stated that the play was not a result of being off-balance or accidental contact, but rather a deliberate swing of the stick at a dangerous height. This is Malkin’s third suspension of his NHL career.
The sequence began after Dahlin cross-checked Malkin. While a penalty was signaled on Dahlin, Malkin retaliated by slashing Dahlin in the head. Malkin then attempted to engage Dahlin in a fight, but officials intervened to prevent further escalation.
“This is not the case of an off-balance player bringing his stick down without control or result of a player whose movements were directly influenced by the opposing player, nor is it the case of a careless player accidentally making contact with an opponent,” the Department of Player Safety said in its statement. “This is an intentional stick swing that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height and that is delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline.”
Malkin has a history of disciplinary issues, having been fined five times and previously suspended twice. He received a one-game suspension in February 2019 for high-sticking Philadelphia Flyers forward Michael Raffl, and a four-game suspension in April 2022 for cross-checking Nashville Predators forward Mark Borowiecki.
The suspension comes at a challenging time for the Penguins, who are already without captain Sidney Crosby due to injury. Crosby was on the ice for a non-contact practice Friday, suggesting a potential return to the lineup next week, but his status remains uncertain. Malkin, at 39 years old, is the Penguins’ second-leading scorer with 13 goals and 47 points in 46 games this season, trailing only Crosby’s 27 goals and 32 assists.
The loss of Malkin for five games will undoubtedly test the Penguins’ depth as they navigate a tight race in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh is currently tied for second place with the New York Islanders, but only three points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Penguins face the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and the Boston Bruins on Sunday, both crucial matchups in the divisional standings.
This incident underscores the league’s commitment to player safety and its zero-tolerance policy for dangerous plays. The severity of the suspension reflects the potential for serious injury resulting from such actions. The Penguins will necessitate to rely on their remaining forwards to step up in Malkin’s absence as they push for a playoff berth.
Malkin will be eligible to return to the Penguins lineup on March 16 against the Colorado Avalanche. The team has not yet announced any plans for a replacement in the lineup during his suspension.
The Penguins will need to navigate this stretch without one of their key offensive contributors. The team’s ability to overcome this adversity will be a significant test of their resilience and depth as they continue their pursuit of a playoff spot.
Fans can follow updates on Malkin’s status and the Penguins’ schedule on the team’s official website, NHL.com/Penguins, and through official NHL channels.
