Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin suspended for 1 game

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH — Evgeni Malkin was hit with a one-game suspension for high sticking as announced by the NHL Tuesday evening for his exchange with the Flyers Michael Raffl.

This coming after Malkin swung his stick at the 15:06 mark of the third period in the direction of Raffl when the Penguins were ahead 3-0.

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“Nothing dangerous. Not bleeding, nothing,” Malkin said after the game last night. “I know I give [Philadelphia] a five minute power play but it’s my fault for sure. Play smart next time.”

Malkin admitting to being frustrated after being hit in the back of the head by Raffl and his head coach backed up the center’s actions.

“It was a battle between the two of them,” Mike Sullivan said. “I think it was reactionary. You know I was a little surprised it was a match [penalty] because the player [Raffl] didn’t get hurt on it. There wasn’t real significant contact.”

Raffl was not injured on the play, but Malkin was assessed a match penalty, his second such penalty of the season. In the video released by the NHL, it was explained that Raffl started the altercation with a hit to the back of Malkin’s head, however he was not penalized in any manner.

During the same game, defensman Olli Maatta suffered an upper-body injury that his him out indefinitely.

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