Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin has been suspended for five games without pay for slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the face area during Thursday night’s game. It’s a massive suspension for a Penguins team in the thick of a playoff race and already without Sidney Crosby.

Malkin will forfeit around $158,000 in salary and miss the next five games: Home games this weekend vs Philadelphia, Boston and road games vs Carolina, Vegas, and Utah. Malkin is eligible to return March 16th vs Colorado.

Pittsburgh primarily stood pat at the deadline, while the Islanders made an impact move in acquiring Brayden Schenn from St. Louis, while Columbus three points behind the Penguins, acquired Connor Garland Thursday night to bolster their forward ranks. To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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