Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71) skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Pittsburgh, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

NEW YORK (AP) — Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin was suspended for five games for slashing Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin on the head, a punishment that will cost the Penguins forward nearly $160,000, the NHL announced Friday.

Malkin was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking, a major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct 35 seconds into the second period of the Penguins’ loss to the Sabres on Thursday.

Video showed that Malkin and Dahlin made contact at the side of the Buffalo net. Dahlin cross-checked Malkin, for which he was penalized, and Malkin responded by raising his stick and striking Dahlin on his helmet and shoulder.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety noted that Malkin was not off-balance and the contact was not accidental.

The Penguins are already without captain Sidney Crosby for a minimum of four weeks because of a lower-body injury as the team, currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division, battles for playoff position.

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Malkin will forfeit $158,854.15. That money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.