The Department of Player Safety has decided on supplementary discipline for the actions taken in last night’s Los Angeles Kings-Pittsburgh Penguins game, with Dustin Brown earning a $10,000 fine for cross-checking Justin Schultz, and Evgeni Malkin receiving a $5,000 fine for a spear delivered on Brown earlier in the game.
It’s a surprising result to be sure, since Brown was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for the hit, which was delivered while Schultz was already on his knees sliding towards the boards. Many expected him to receive a suspension, especially with a previous incident in his past that earned him two games for an elbow on Jason Pominville. Though it happened more than 18 months ago and would not classify him as a repeat offender in regards to the salary he would have to forfeit, all history is taken into account by the DoPS when handing out supplementary discipline.
For Malkin, the incident came in the first period when he appeared to purposefully lift his stick forcefully between Brown’s legs when they came together at the boards. Malkin was not penalized on the play, but will now be under more scrutiny from the referees and league going forward.
It’s the NHL. They are about as consistent as the NFL when it comes to fines and penalties. No reason Brown should not have been suspended
Im a Kings fan but Brown should have been suspended
The Brown hit was one of the most dangerous hits I’ve seen in a while.
I am now 100% convinced that Andrew Cogliano was suspended SOLELY to snap his consecutive games streak. He was a first time offender and suspended for two games for a hit that wasn’t even 1% as dirty as Brown’s.
Brown slowed down. He should have been suspended but its not that bad especially since Schultz fell down into him
Schultz was on his knees, sliding with his head right by the right angle of the dasher board with his numbers showing for MORE than enough time for Brown to recognize all of that and not CROSS CHECK a guy in the back of the neck.
No intent to injure, but no effort to avoid it.