Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin suspended for five games after slash on Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin

The National Hockey League has been disciplining Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Evgeni Malkin after a milder incident during a game on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The league affirmed that the 39-year-old core would be suspended for five games following an instance of slashing that hit Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the game.

The event took place during the initial stages of the second period of the 5-1 win of the Buffalo team. Referees quickly gave Malkin a five-minute major and a game misconduct, which sent him out of the competition. The department of player safety at the league reviewed the play and decided that the act should come with further punishment, hence the multi-game suspension.

NHL star Evgeni Malkin of Pittsburgh Penguins is suspended after slash on Rasmus Dahlin

The confrontation still unfolded only a few seconds into the second period when Evgeni Malkin and Rasmus Dahlin were fighting over the place in front of the crease of the Sabres. In the same play, Malkin slashed twice with his hands, but the blow struck Dahlin in the face, and the referee and colleagues rushed to save his life.

Even though Malkin momentarily dropped his gloves after the slash, the event did not deteriorate to a full fight. Rather, referees intervened and ejected the Penguins center off the field with a game misconduct.

By the moment it was punished, the game was at a draw, 1-1. Nevertheless, the Sabres took advantage of the prolonged power play, and forward Joshua Norris scored a goal to put Buffalo in the lead. The Sabres remained dominant, and later on, they won by a decisive margin of 5-1.

In the case of Pittsburgh, the suspension is very inconvenient. Sidney Crosby, who is the captain of the team, is already struggling with an injury, and this means that the Penguins will have to spend several games without two of the most powerful veterans.

The setback notwithstanding, Malkin has been very productive this season, recording 13 goals and 34 assists in 46 games only. Nevertheless, his loss may have an impact on the stability of the city of Pittsburgh as the team remains to go hard in the NHL rankings.