Mark Madden criticizes Evgeni Malkin suspension as the Pittsburgh Penguins navigate crucial NHL games without their star

The Pittsburgh Penguins earned three out of four available points in their recent games in the NHL, even without their veteran center Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh also won 5-4 over the Boston Bruins and got another point in a 4-3 loss in a shootout with the Philadelphia Flyers in PPG Paints Arena.

These results were a bit of hope to Pittsburgh, although the team is in a challenging period without one of the most experienced forwards. The suspension of Malkin also presents a situation of losing captain Sidney Crosby as a result of injury, and the Penguins have to depend more on the depth players as they strive to keep the country afloat in the NHL playoff race.

Mark Madden criticizes Evgeni Malkin slash on Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin

Madden Sports analyst Mark Madden gave Evgeni Malkin serious criticism after the long-time forward was fined five games because of slashing Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres with his head.

In his Madden Monday commentary, Madden referred to it as a very harmful move by the Penguins, given the state that they were in the standings. Pittsburgh fighting to get a playoff spot means that the loss of a main player for several games poses the team an extra burden.

According to Madden, the incident was also a possible consequence of frustration at the situation of Malkin in terms of contract. This also means that the long-time Penguins star has never been able to sign an extension, and the speculation over his future with the franchise is also increasing with the passage of time.

Even though the topic is controversial, the general manager of the Penguins, Kyle Dubas, has insisted that the talks regarding the contract of Malkin would most probably occur once the season is over. In the meantime, from the perspective of the Pittsburgh team, the emphasis is to remain competitive and to continue to accumulate points in the absence of Malkin very early in the NHL season.