Canadiens D Mike Matheson fined $5K by NHL

The NHL fined Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson $5,000 on Friday for interference against Florida Panthers forward Eric Staal.

The fine is the maximum allowable under the league's collective bargaining agreement.

Staal sustained an upper-body injury after absorbing a reverse hit from Matheson in the first period of the Panthers' 6-2 victory over the Canadiens on Thursday. Staal did not return to the game.

Matheson, who was not penalized for the hit, has seven points (one goal, six assists) in 12 games this season with Montreal. The 28-year-old previously played in parts of five seasons with Florida before spending two campaigns with the Pittsburgh Penguins.