Flyers' Gordon criticizes Malkin suspension: 'It was a baseball swing'

Philadelphia Flyers interim head coach Scott Gordon thinks ​​​​Evgeni Malkin got off easy with a one-game suspension.

The league handed the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar a one-game ban Tuesday for high-sticking Flyers forward Michael Raffl during Monday's contest.

"It wasn't a high stick. It was a baseball swing," Gordon said, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli. "Just because you didn't connect doesn't mean it wasn't vicious. I don't think he should be rewarded just because he didn't connect."

Before the NHL's Department of Player Safety disciplined Malkin, the 32-year-old suggested he didn't deserve to be suspended since he didn't hit Raffl in the face with his stick.

Malkin missed Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He will be eligible to return to the lineup Saturday when the Penguins host the Calgary Flames.