Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for cross-checking Nashville Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki.
The incident occurred in the second period of Sunday’s game, which Pittsburgh eventually won in overtime 3-2. Borowiecki and Malkin exchanged shoves in front of Nashville’s net before the Russian forward checked his opponent up in the face.
Borowiecki was seen bleeding as he skated hunched over back to the Predators’ bench, and Malkin received a four-minute penalty for the check.
NBC Sports notes that Malkin has only been disciplined one other time in his career, for cross-checking for Philadelphia Flyers Michael Raffl in 2019, which earned him a one-game suspension and a $5,000 fine. Although Malkin isn’t considered a “repeat offender” since he was only disciplined once three years ago, the DoPS may take into consideration that Malkin has gotten into trouble for the same infraction.
There is also speculation Malkin could be suspended for two games since Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews received such punishment for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin last month.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
