Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for cross-checking Nashville Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki.
Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin will have a hearing this evening for Cross-checking Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 11, 2022
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.
Malkin the samurai pic.twitter.com/HYDOdL6rg0
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 10, 2022
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.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!