No extra discipline for Pens’ Malkin after hit on Bruins’ Boychuk

Malkin/By S. Bradley

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin will not face any addition discipline for his hit from behind on Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk Sunday.

Malkin was assessed a two-minute minor for boarding on the play.

The Bruins failed to capitalize on the ensuing power play and went on to lose, 5-2, to the Penguins.

Here’s a look at the hit:

I’d say the hit was probably worthy of a major penalty, but a suspension is not necessary. There was no long-term injury to Boychuk, who returned to the game, and seemingly no intent to injure. Boychuk turns a little bit at the last second. This is more a case of a non-physical player trying to play the body a little more and doing it wrong. More likely, Malkin will answer for the hit when the Bruins and Penguins meet April 3 in Boston. The Bruins weren’t able to respond to the hit immediately because they needed that power play.