NHL Hockey 8-Hour Briefing

NHL Discipline

Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin has been suspended five games for slashing Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin during Thursday's game. The NHL Department of Player Safety determined the slash was dangerous and warranted significant discipline.

Game Impact

The suspension means Malkin will miss Pittsburgh's next five contests, including key divisional matchups against Washington and New York. Malkin leads the Penguins with 14 goals this season and his absence creates a major scoring void.

Sabres Perspective

Buffalo players expressed relief that the league took action on the slash. Dahlin avoided serious injury but the play could have resulted in a significant lower-body injury given the force of the slash.