Pens F Evgeni Malkin faces NHL hearing over slashing incident

Field Level Media|published: 03/06/2026, 2:08pm EST

Feb 5, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) waits for the face-off against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin will have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Friday, one day after slashing Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin.

Per TSN, Malkin's hearing will be conducted over the phone, which means his potential suspension can't be longer than five games.

Malkin slashed Dahlin in the side of the head 38 seconds into the second period, resulting in a five-minute major penalty and a 10-minute game misconduct in the Penguins' 5-1 loss to the Sabres. Both players also received a minor penalty for cross-checking.

Malkin, 39, has been suspended on two occasions during his 20-year NHL career. He was banned one game in 2009 for high-sticking and four more in 2022 for cross-checking.

Malkin has 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) in 46 games this season.

A 2011-12 Hart Trophy recipient as NHL MVP and a three-time Stanley Cup winner, Malkin has totaled 1,393 points (527 goals, 866 assists) in 1,259 career games since the Penguins drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick in 2004.

--Field Level Media