NHL
Ottawa Senators
Montreal Canadiens

Sens’ Cousins, Hodgson fined after heated preseason game vs. Canadiens

By
TSN.ca Staff

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Montreal Canadiens' Kirby Dach checks Ottawa Senators' Nick Cousins during first period NHL preseason action in Quebec City, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

The NHL Department of Player Safety has fined Ottawa Senators forward Nick Cousins $2,148.44, the maximum allowable amount under the CBA, for slashing Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov in the hand during Tuesday’s 5-0 preseason loss.

Demidov was in visible pain after the slash and would eventually leave the game. Cousins was assessed a minor for slashing.

“There’s no need for that. It’s an exhibition game, both teams are trying to get ready for a long season. I don’t think there’s any need for that in the game,” Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said of the slash to Demidov.

There has been no official update on Demidov’s injury status.

Winger Hayden Hodgson was fined $2,018.23 for boarding Habs forward Alex Newhook on Tuesday. Hodgson was assessed a boarding minor on the play.

It was a chippy preseason affair between the At;antic Division rivals, as the clubs racked up 150 combined penalty minutes, nine fighting majors, and eight misconduct penalties.