The NHL’s Department of Player Safety fined three players on Wednesday for separate incidents from the prior day’s games.

Jets’ Byfuglien Fined $5,000 for Slashing

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was hit with a $5,000 fine for slashing Washington Capitals forward Jay Beagle in the closing minutes for Tuesday’s game. Byfuglien’s slash, which appeared to injure Beagle, prevented the Caps’ forward from scoring an empty net goal. The Winnipeg blueliner whacked at Beagle’s leg, then caught the Washington winger in the ribs.

Byfuglien was given a minor penalty for slashing.
 

 
“I thought the penalty was warranted on the first slash for two minutes – the referee’s arm went up,” said Caps’ coach Barry Trotz after the game “The second slash on Beagle – that was not a hockey play. It was not a hockey play. There was no intention of getting the puck or trying to get the puck. He was already by him. At that point, we should have put it in the empty net.”

The Jets managed to score the game-tying goal just over a minute later – a shorthanded marker with Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck on the bench. Winnipeg went on to win the game in overtime.

Curiously, it’s possible that the Caps could nearly have been awarded a goal on the play under Rule 57.4, had another player not been back to defend:

If, when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed from the ice, a player in control of the puck (or who could have obtained possession and control of the puck) in the neutral or attacking zone is tripped or otherwise fouled with no opposition between him and the opposing goal, thus preventing a reasonable scoring opportunity, the Referee shall immediately stop play and award a goal to the attacking team.

The officials opted not to award the goal since Winnipeg’s Patrick Laine was defending, though it was a close one.

 

Golden Knights’ Engelland Fined $2,688 for Cross-Checking

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland has been fined $2,688.17 for cross-checking Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad less than a minute into the first period of Tuesday’s game in Las Vegas. Engelland was sent to the box with a minor penalty for high-sticking.

 

Caps’ Bowey Fined $1,890 for Interference

Washington Capitals defenseman Madison Bowey was hit with a fine of $1,890.68 for interference against Winnipeg Jets forward Matt Hendricks.  Bowey was given a minor penalty for interference on the play, which happened with 12:51 remaining in the second period of Tuesday night’s game. Bowey’s fine is the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement based on his salary.

 

 

The combined total of $9,578.85 in fines goes to the NHL Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.