NHL Player Safety addresses Evgeni Malkin's dangerous cross-check

With the 2nd period winding down Nashville Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin were engaged in a scrum in front of the Predators' net. After the final buzzer sounded, Malkin initially slashed Borowiecki near his leg, breaking his stick, and he then followed it up with a cross-check that hit Boro in the face, immediately drawing blood.

Borowiecki received a minor penalty for slashing for his role in the scuffle, while Malkin was given a double-minor for high-sticking.

Per NHL Player Safety Malkin will have a hearing for his actions on Sunday.

Malkin has been suspended one time in his career, earning a one-game ban in 2019 for recklessly swinging his stick at Michael Raffl's head. He also received a major penalty and game misconduct in 2018 for a head shot on T.J. Oshie, but avoided further punishment from the NHL.

Auston Matthews received a two game suspension for high sticking Rasmus Dahlin during the Winter Classic. When comparing the Malkin vs Matthews high sticking incidents, Malkin's looks a lot more vicious. I expect a longer suspension for Malkin when you consider the brutality of the high stick as well as having a previous suspension on his record.