Evgeni Malkin was ejected from Wednesday night’s Pittsburgh Penguins-Washington Capitals game for a controversial hit on TJ Oshie.
Malkin nailed Oshie with a chicken wing to the head in the third period.
Malkin gets a major for this hit on Oshie, who went to the room pic.twitter.com/vUsRGLBbOL
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) November 8, 2018
Oshie left the ice and went into the locker room while play was ongoing for the second time in the evening. Malkin received a 5-minute major for his illegal check and game misconduct and was ejected. Patric Hornqvist served the penalty for Pittsburgh.
There were questions about whether the ejection was deserved. Some wondered whether Malkin was bracing for contact from Oshie.
The thing to watch on the Malkin hit on Oshie is whether Malkin is in that position because he is bracing for impact. #Capitals
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) November 8, 2018
Others felt right away that the play was dirty.
That was a dirty hit by Malkin. Period. There is no defending that play. Unnecessary. Principal point of contact was Oshie’s face.
Malkin should be suspended. So, we sit and wait for tomorrow.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) November 8, 2018
Oshie was able to return to the ice and even conducted a postgame interview following the Caps’ 2-1 win.
“Right away you’re nervous. I’d say about 20 minutes later everything settles down a little bit. Obviously had to get stitches, but the eye itself was feeling better,” Oshie told NBC Sports after the game.
Oshie had the tie-breaking goal in the third period for the Caps.
