Penguins’ Malkin suspended 4 games for cross-check to face

#71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins warms up prior to the start of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capital (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

By Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has been suspended four games for cross-checking Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki in the face.

The NHL’s department of player safety announced the suspension after holding a hearing with Malkin about the play.

Malkin was initially given only a four-minute double-minor penalty after striking Borowiecki in the mouth with his stick at the end of the second period Sunday.

This is Malkin’s second suspension after a one-game ban for high-sticking in 2019.

This one costs him $190,000 in salary.

He’s eligible to return April 23 vs. Detroit.

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