In what might be the most confusing altercation of the Caps season, Evgeni Malkin tried to fight TJ Oshie and got in a yelling match with close friend Evgeny Kuznetsov with a minute remaining in the third period.
Malkin refused to leave the ice as he screamed at Kuznetsov. The Penguins forward was given 14 minutes in penalties, including two minutes for interference, two minutes for roughing, and a ten-minute game misconduct.
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The kerfuffle started in the neutral zone near the two team’s benches. As Oshie tried to skate into the offensive zone, he collided with Malkin, dropping his stick upon impact. Malkin didn’t appreciate the bump very much so he shot Oshie’s stick into the Caps bench, striking Lane Lambert.
Oshie shoved Malkin in the back in retaliation and the two proceeded to get in a wrestling match. Oshie held Malkin in a headlock while Malkin tried to tackle him to the ice. Meanwhile, several players on the Caps bench, most notably Tom Wilson, whispered sweet nothings into Malkin’s ear. At the tail end of the GIF, you can see Kuznetsov yapping with Malkin.
This made Malkin snap and he screamed at Kuznetsov while Sidney Crosby stayed in-between the two players. Linesman Ryan Daisy had to wrestle Malkin off the ice.
Penguins assistant coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Recchi was later ejected during the proceeding faceoff.
After the game, Malkin explained what got him so mad: “Kuzy spoke Russian.” The Athletic’s Josh Yohe and @PensInsideScoop have the defining tweets.
Malkin on Kuznetsov: "Kuzy spoke Russian. I don't know why he started speaking to me in Russian. I don't like that. You aren't on the ice. It's my problem. I took the penalty. Oshie was mad. We decided to fight. But you can't speak with me if you're sitting on the bench."
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) April 2, 2018
More Geno magic on Kuznetsov: "I'm upset because he started talking to me. I'm busy. Oshie grabbed my neck. It was a little bit tough for me. He tried to speak to me. I didn't understand what was going on. I think it's not right."
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) April 2, 2018
More Malkin on Kuznetsov: "It's my problem. I took a penalty. I threw (Oshie's) stick. Oshie was mad. We fought each other. It's fine. But (Kuznetsov) can't speak with me if you're sitting on the bench." -SK
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) April 2, 2018
Malkin on his meltdown: “We might play them in the playoffs. Wanted to send a message.”
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) April 2, 2018
Meanwhile Oshie told The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan that he was frustrated by Malkin hitting his stick into the Caps bench – a dangerous play.
Oshie said he didn’t like that Malkin shot his stick at the bench. When Malkin grabbed him, he just tried to “hold onto the moose.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 2, 2018
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said of Malkin’s temper tantrum: “that’s hockey.”
Coach Sullivan on the emotions at the end of the game: "Geno’s an emotional guy and he plays his best when he’s engaged and invested emotionally. He played hard tonight. What took place at the end took place on both sides. It wasn’t one side. That’s hockey."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 2, 2018
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