The NHL has fined Michael Matheson $5,000 for roughing Ottawa's Ridly Greig during the Canadiens' 4-2 win over the Senators last night.
NHL Player Safety said the amount is the maximum allowable under the CBA.
Matt Drake saw it coming right after the game, writing that the play "miiiight cost Matheson a few bucks."
Turns out it cost him every dollar the league is allowed to take.
The fine doesn't erase a strong night. He had two assists and finished plus-3.
He was also whistled for a minor during the game.
So is the max a real message, or just a parking ticket?
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NHL drops maximum punishment on Mike Matheson after Greig incident
Greig took a minor of his own in that game. He also put five shots on goal in 23:25 of ice time.
It was a heated night from start to finish. Adam Nemec left with an upper-body injury after a check from Florian Xhekaj, and Tyler Thorpe dropped the gloves with Djibril Touré.
A max fine is the right outcome here. It's enough to register without costing the Canadiens a defenseman for Tuesday's opener in Toronto.
It's like getting a speeding ticket on the way to the airport. It stings, but you still make your flight.
Only Noah Dobson saw more ice than Matheson among Montreal defensemen that night. Matheson logged 26:02 and put four shots on goal.
Dobson also scored on the power play, and Juraj Slafkovsky scored the winner. In goal, Samuel Montembeault stopped all 14 shots he faced.
Ottawa won the other half of Saturday's doubleheader between the two clubs, 4-3 at home.
The Canadiens finished the preseason 4-1-0, and they still have three roster cuts to make before Monday's deadline.
Martin St-Louis's group heads to Toronto next, where Jim Hiller's Leafs will be waiting on Tuesday night.
The Senators, who finished 1-3-1, open October 3 in Toronto as well.
The league made its point with his wallet. Whether the Leafs try to test that edge on opening night is the next question.
Was a $5,000 fine enough for Michael Matheson after roughing Ridly Greig?
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