Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin Ejected in Matchup Against Sabres
In an intense matchup against the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins’ prominent forward Evgeni Malkin found himself in hot water, receiving a game misconduct for slashing. The incident unfolded just 38 seconds into the second period when Malkin was subjected to a cross-check from Sabres’ standout Rasmus Dahlin near the goalpost.
Details of the Incident
Reacting to the hit, Malkin attempted a retaliatory slash that unfortunately connected with Dahlin’s face. He escalated the confrontation by grabbing the defenseman by his helmet and discarding his gloves as Dahlin crouched down. As a result of his actions, Malkin was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking, along with a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the slashing offense. Dahlin, in turn, received a minor penalty for his previous cross-check.
Impact on the Game
“During the ensuing five-minute power play, the Sabres capitalized, scoring a goal that granted them a 2-1 lead.”
This ejection further complicated matters for the Penguins, who were already missing their captain Sidney Crosby, recovering from an injury sustained during the Olympics and projected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks. The Penguins’ struggle was palpable as they faced adversity without both of their star players.
[Original article by USA TODAY: Evgeni Malkin game misconduct in Sabres-Penguins: Why he was ejected]
