The Penguins might be without Evgeni Malkin for a few games after he was handed a game misconduct in the second period for a slash to the side of Rasmus Dahlin's head/neck area in the Penguins' 5-1 loss to the Sabres.
Dahlin initiated the altercation at a whistle by cross-checking Malkin in the lower back. Malkin swung around and attempted one swing that didn't connect, then hit Dahlin with the second swing. Malkin grabbed Dahlin and dropped his gloves, seemingly anticipating a fight, but Dahlin skated away in pain:
Both players got two minutes for cross-checking. Malkin got an additional five-minute major for slashing, as well as a game misconduct. Here's why those specific penalties matter:
• Malkin did not receive a match penalty, which is more severe than a major plus a game misconduct. A match penalty is reserved for a player who "deliberately attempts to injure or who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner," and results in the player being "automatically suspended from further competition until the commissioner has ruled on the issue," per the rulebook. Malkin surely will hear from the Department of Player Safety, but there isn't an automatic suspension required.
• Malkin slashed Dahlin in the head. That could be slashing, it could be high-sticking. It benefitted Malkin that the call was a slash. Slashing as a major penalty results in an automatic game misconduct. That is not the case with high-sticking. High-sticking can be a double-minor, but not a major. The only escalation for a high-stick above a double-minor is a match penalty.
So, Malkin apparently wasn't seen as attempting to injure Dahlin. And Dahlin wasn't injured in the altercation. He didn't miss any time at all. But Malkin still has factors that work against him in determining whether he misses any time.
Malkin has faced supplemental discipline five times in his career -- three times for a fine, and twice for suspensions. He was first suspended in 2019, when he got one game for a high-stick. He got four games in 2022 for cross-checking Mark Borowiecki in the face. That 2022 suspension could serve as a comparison point for any discipline Malkin may get here. The Department of Player Safety in 2022 cited Malkin's cross-check as being "retaliatory and aggressive" as part of its justification, which was also the case here. However, Borowiecki was actually injured in that circumstance, whereas Dahlin wasn't here. But now, Malkin does have that 2022 four-game suspension on his resume, whereas his resume was a little more clean when he got that four-game suspension.
Dan Muse had zero interest in commenting on the infraction afterward, saying he only saw a quick replay in the moment, and didn't look at it between periods because there were more pressing things that he needed to watch. He didn't even want to "speculate" on the possibility of Malkin missing time, which would be a big blow to the center depth with Sidney Crosby already sidelined.
If Malkin does miss time, the Penguins have three real options for Saturday's game, barring any trades: 1. Put Kevin Hayes back into the lineup at center, 2. Re-insert Hayes as a wing, or recall someone like Rutger McGroarty or Ville Koivunen to play wing while shifting someone like Noel Acciari back to center, or 3. Recall Joona Koppanen, the lone NHL-contracted healthy center in Wilkes-Barre.
Needless to say, none of those options are ideal. So, the Penguins are focusing on controlling what they can control.
"We're going to get ready for the next game, and go from there," Muse said.
THE ASYLUM
Malkin likely to face discipline for slash
The Penguins might be without Evgeni Malkin for a few games after he was handed a game misconduct in the second period for a slash to the side of Rasmus Dahlin's head/neck area in the Penguins' 5-1 loss to the Sabres.
Dahlin initiated the altercation at a whistle by cross-checking Malkin in the lower back. Malkin swung around and attempted one swing that didn't connect, then hit Dahlin with the second swing. Malkin grabbed Dahlin and dropped his gloves, seemingly anticipating a fight, but Dahlin skated away in pain:
Both players got two minutes for cross-checking. Malkin got an additional five-minute major for slashing, as well as a game misconduct. Here's why those specific penalties matter:
• Malkin did not receive a match penalty, which is more severe than a major plus a game misconduct. A match penalty is reserved for a player who "deliberately attempts to injure or who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner," and results in the player being "automatically suspended from further competition until the commissioner has ruled on the issue," per the rulebook. Malkin surely will hear from the Department of Player Safety, but there isn't an automatic suspension required.
• Malkin slashed Dahlin in the head. That could be slashing, it could be high-sticking. It benefitted Malkin that the call was a slash. Slashing as a major penalty results in an automatic game misconduct. That is not the case with high-sticking. High-sticking can be a double-minor, but not a major. The only escalation for a high-stick above a double-minor is a match penalty.
So, Malkin apparently wasn't seen as attempting to injure Dahlin. And Dahlin wasn't injured in the altercation. He didn't miss any time at all. But Malkin still has factors that work against him in determining whether he misses any time.
Malkin has faced supplemental discipline five times in his career -- three times for a fine, and twice for suspensions. He was first suspended in 2019, when he got one game for a high-stick. He got four games in 2022 for cross-checking Mark Borowiecki in the face. That 2022 suspension could serve as a comparison point for any discipline Malkin may get here. The Department of Player Safety in 2022 cited Malkin's cross-check as being "retaliatory and aggressive" as part of its justification, which was also the case here. However, Borowiecki was actually injured in that circumstance, whereas Dahlin wasn't here. But now, Malkin does have that 2022 four-game suspension on his resume, whereas his resume was a little more clean when he got that four-game suspension.
Dan Muse had zero interest in commenting on the infraction afterward, saying he only saw a quick replay in the moment, and didn't look at it between periods because there were more pressing things that he needed to watch. He didn't even want to "speculate" on the possibility of Malkin missing time, which would be a big blow to the center depth with Sidney Crosby already sidelined.
If Malkin does miss time, the Penguins have three real options for Saturday's game, barring any trades: 1. Put Kevin Hayes back into the lineup at center, 2. Re-insert Hayes as a wing, or recall someone like Rutger McGroarty or Ville Koivunen to play wing while shifting someone like Noel Acciari back to center, or 3. Recall Joona Koppanen, the lone NHL-contracted healthy center in Wilkes-Barre.
Needless to say, none of those options are ideal. So, the Penguins are focusing on controlling what they can control.
"We're going to get ready for the next game, and go from there," Muse said.
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