Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin to have hearing for cross-checking Predators’ Mark Borowiecki

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin will have a hearing on Monday evening for cross-checking Nashville Predators defenceman Mark Borowiecki, the NHL’s department of player safety said.

The incident occurred as time ran out in the second period of Sunday’s game between the two teams. After Malkin and Borowiecki engaged in a scrum in front of the Predators’ net, Malkin initially slashed Borowiecki near his leg and then followed it up with a cross-check that hit him in the face, 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.

This is not the first incident of its kind in recent weeks. Recently, Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews was given a two-game suspension for a similar play that took place in the 2022 Heritage Classic, when he cross-checked Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin in the face.

If suspended, it would mark the second time in his career that Malkin was forced to sit because of an on-ice infraction. He was suspended for one game in 2019 for a high-sticking incident in which he swung his stick at another player’s head.

In 37 games this season, Malkin has scored 17 times and assisted on 20 others.