NHL Fines Senators and Cousins for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

OTTAWA, Canada — The NHL has fined the Ottawa Senators $25,000 and forward Nick Cousins $2,083.33 for unsportsmanlike conduct during warm-ups ahead of Game 3 of their Stanley Cup playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The incident occurred Thursday when Cousins shot a puck towards Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz during warm-ups at Canadian Tire Centre. The league considered the action to be unsportsmanlike, despite it appearing playful, as Cousins and Stolarz were former teammates.

“It’s an active investigation. I don’t know if I should be commenting,” Senators coach Travis Green said, jokingly acknowledging the situation. He added, “I have people that have advised me maybe not to comment on it. I’m kidding. I saw the video. [Cousins] is probably trying to laugh at him or make a joke or get him off his game. It is what it is.”

Green also confirmed that he spoke with Cousins after the incident, noting the importance of maintaining a spirit of fun among teammates. “[Cousins] just said, ‘I know him.’ Game within the game. Happens probably a lot more than you think,” he remarked.

Despite the lighthearted intentions behind the action, the NHL Department of Player Safety issued Cousins the maximum fine allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. The league emphasized a strict policy against any pregame antics that could lead to escalation during playoff games.

The Senators, now facing a 3-0 series deficit, are looking to avoid elimination in Game 4 scheduled for Saturday. Coach Green and the team took the situation with some humor, noting that it was less severe than past playoff confrontations.

“I don’t think it’s anything,” said Leafs coach Craig Berube, referring to the incident. “The league will handle that.” Despite the controversy, the Senators are focused on winning the upcoming game.

The Senators and Maple Leafs rivalry continues with tensions rising as the stakes increase in the playoffs.