Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson has been fined $5,000 for interference on Florida Panthers‘ Eric Staal following Thursday’s testy game.
The play occurred in the final minutes of the first period, when Matheson and Staal were both chasing the puck. Matheson abruptly stopped, landing a reverse hit on Staal, who eventually had to leave the game.
No penalty was called on the ice. The Panthers would go on to take the game 6-2.
Matheson, a former Panther himself until 2020, was acquired by Montreal from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2022 off-season in exchange for Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling.
The 28-year-old has one goal and seven points in 13 games for the Canadiens this season.
