Pittsburgh Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin was ejected from Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres for a retaliatory slash.
Malkin had been cross-checked by Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin 38 seconds into the second period by the Sabres net. Malkin responded with an attempted slash then connected with another slash to the side of the defenseman’s face. He grabbed Dahlin by the helmet and dropped his gloves as Dahlin bent over.
The Penguins center received two minutes for cross-checking and also five minutes and a game misconduct for slashing. Dahlin got two minutes for cross-checking.
Buffalo got one goal on the five-minute power play to take a 2-1 lead.
The Penguins were already playing without Sidney Crosby, who was injured at the Olympics and is expected to miss four weeks. He skated on Thursday before Pittsburgh’s morning skate.