{"id":489620,"date":"2026-03-06T19:06:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T19:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/489620\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T19:06:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T19:06:16","slug":"nhl-announces-player-safety-hearing-for-penguins-evgeni-malkin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/489620\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL announces Player Safety hearing for Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin"},"content":{"rendered":"

The N<\/a>H<\/a>L<\/a> scheduled a hearing for Evgeni Malkin following an incident in Thursday night\u2019s game between the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> and the Buffalo Sabres<\/a>. The Penguins\u2019 center led the team in points in captain Sidney Crosby<\/a>\u2018s absence.<\/p>\n

The league\u2019s NHL Department of Player Safety confirmed the update on X, writing, \u201cPittsburgh\u2019s Evgeni Malkin will have a hearing today for slashing Buffalo\u2019s Rasmus Dahlin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Malkin will have a phone hearing with the Player Safety. Under league rules, that format means any suspension cannot exceed five games. The decision will likely consider the severity of the incident and Malkin\u2019s disciplinary history.<\/p>\n

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Pittsburgh\u2019s Evgeni Malkin will have a hearing today for slashing Buffalo\u2019s Rasmus Dahlin.<\/p>\n

\u2014 NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The incident occurred early in the second period, just 38 seconds after the puck dropped. Malkin and Rasmus Dahlin battled for position near the Sabres\u2019 net during the play. After absorbing multiple cross-checks from Dahlin, Malkin swung his stick downward and struck the Buffalo defenseman in the head and neck area.<\/p>\n

Officials assessed Malkin a five-minute major for slashing, a two-minute minor for cross-checking, and a game misconduct, ending his night early with an ejection. Dahlin received a minor penalty for cross-checking during the sequence. <\/p>\n

Buffalo took advantage of the situation during the extended power play. Josh Norris scored to give the Sabres the lead. Ryan McLeod and Alex Tuch later added short-handed goals as Buffalo secured a 5-1 victory.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) and defenseman Owen Power (25) celebrate a goal by Power against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Evgeni Malkin\u2019s most recent punishment history in NHL<\/p>\n

The veteran center has faced punishment before. He received a one-game suspension in 2019 for high-sticking Michael Raffl and a four-game ban in 2022 for cross-checking Mark Borowiecki. Earlier this season, Malkin was also fined for slashing Logan Stanley.<\/p>\n

Despite the controversy, Malkin produced strong numbers this season with 47 points in 46 games. His possible absence would create another challenge for Pittsburgh, which is already without Crosby due to a lower-body injury.<\/p>\n

The Penguins hold a 31-17-13 record and sit second in the Metropolitan Division. They could face the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> on Saturday without both star players.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n

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