The NHL has fined Boston Bruins’ defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk $2,734.38 for unsportsmanlike conduct during last night’s matchup between the Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The incident occurred near the end of the first period, during the play in question Penguins’ forward Michael Bunting made incidental contact with Bruins’ netminder Linus Ullmark, ultimately clipping his foot and causing the goalie to fall over. A couple of seconds later, Shattenkirk, who was on the bench at the time, stuck out his stick and hit Bunting with it. The play itself wasn’t dangerous, but it is a serious infraction to interfere with the play on the ice in any way while you’re on the bench.
No penalties were called on the play for either Shattenkirk or Bunting but the NHL decided on further review that this play by Shattenkirk warranted a fine. The money will go to the NHL Player’s Assistance Fund.
Last night’s game was an otherwise exciting matchup for Shattenkirk. He was promoted to the first power play unit in Charlie McAvoy’s stead and scored a goal to give his team a 3-1 lead at that point in the game. The Bruins ended up winning by a score of 6-4 and moved back into first place in the Atlantic Division over the Florida Panthers.
The Bruins have two games left on the docket for this year’s regular season. They will be on the road against the Washington Capitals on Monday night and will host the Ottawa Senators for the final game of the season on Tuesday.
The Bruins clinched the playoffs a while ago but playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference has not been fully decided yet. If the Bruins win at least one of their final two games of the regular season, they’ll clinch first place in the Atlantic but they’ll have to win both games to have a shot at the first seed in the East, as the New York Rangers have one game left at 112 points in the standings and the Carolina Hurricanes have two games left with 109 points.
The Bruins currently hold a record of 47-18-15 with 109 points in the standings.
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