Pittsburgh Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin was suspended for four games by the NHL on Monday following a crosscheck to the face of Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki the previous day.
The incident occurred during the Penguins’ 3-2 win over the visiting Predators. Malkin was issued a double minor for high sticking after drawing blood, avoiding a match penalty on the play. Borowiecki was given a two-minute minor for slashing.
After a hearing with Malkin on Monday, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety handed down the suspension. The announcement stated, in part, “It is important to note that this is not a case where Malkin raises his stick defensively or reflexively to protect himself. We find Malkin’s crosscheck to be retaliatory and aggressive.”
The punishment will cost Malkin, a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL’s points leader, $190,000 in salary. The money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Malkin, 35, was suspended once before, earning a one-game ban in 2019 for swinging his stick at the head of Michael Raffl, then of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Malkin has 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) in 37 games played this season. He has 1,141 career points (441 goals, 700 assists) over his 16-year career with the Penguins. He was selected No. 2 overall in the 2004 draft.
–Field Level Media
