Evgeni Malkin suspended four games for cross-checking

The incident occurred at the end of the second period in Sunday’s game between the Penguins and the Predators, when Malkin and Borowiecki got into a scrap in front of the net during play, and it reached a boiling point with Malkin swinging at Borowiecki with both hands, and then cross-checking him in the face. Malkin has been suspended once before, getting a one game suspension in 2018-19 for high-sticking at the time Philadelphia Flyers winger Michael Raffl. Tim Peel predicted a three game suspension for Malkin earlier today due to his history, as well as the precedent set by Auston Matthews earlier this season, but also mentioned he should probably get five, so this suspension falls right in the middle.

Malkin has been quietly having another really strong season, with 17 goals and 37 points in 37 games. It’s gone under the radar due to him missing the first three months of the season due to recovering from a knee surgery, but he’s been his typical self this season.

Sunday’s 3-2 overtime win was an important win for the Penguins, as they’d lost seven of their last nine games beforehand, including three losses to the New York Rangers, their likely playoff opponent. They sit in third in the Metropolitan Division with a 42-22-10 record, with the Washington Capitals behind by only four points with two games in hand on the Penguins. The Malkin suspension really hurts them at this stage of the season, as he will miss both upcoming home-and-homes the Penguins have with the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins.