Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin was suspended five games Friday night for slashing Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin in the head.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced the discipline after holding a hearing with Malkin earlier in the day. The hearing was conducted by phone, which meant that five games was the maximum suspension length the league could consider.

During Thursday’s game, 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.

A Department of Player Safety official said in an explanation video that Malkin’s move was not accidental, nor a case of an off-balance player bringing his stick down while steadying himself.

“This is an intentional stick swing that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height and that is delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline,” the official said.

The official noted that Malkin had been suspended two previous times and fined five times, “the majority of which have been for stick-related fouls,” including a fine for slashing earlier this season. He was banned one game in 2009 for high-sticking and four more in 2022 for cross-checking.

As a result, his five-game ban will see him ineligible to play Saturday vs. Philadelphia, Sunday vs. Boston, Tuesday at Carolina, Thursday at Vegas or March 14 at Utah. He is eligible to return March 16 when the Penguins visit league-leading Colorado.

Malkin, 39, has 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) in 46 games this season.

The 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