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Arber Xhekaj (and the Canadian) fined for an event that occurred before yesterday’s game

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Apr 28, 2025 2:36 PM ET

The NHL sent a message to the Canadiens and Capitals before Game #4: no outbursts before the game, during breaks or at the end of periods.

And clearly, the league is taking it seriously.

Arber Xhekaj and Dylan Mcllrath (who did not play in yesterday’s game) were both fined for events that occurred during the warm-up period. Both received the maximum fine allowed for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the Sheriff’s was more severe.

Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj has been fined $3,385.42, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for unsportsmanlike conduct during last night’s pre-game warm-up against Washington.

– NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 28, 2025

Washington’s Dylan McIlrath has been fined $2,018.23, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for unsportsmanlike conduct during last night’s pre-game warm-up against Montreal.

– NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 28, 2025

The CH and Caps were also fined $25,000 each.

The NHL wanted to prevent outbursts during the warm-up period, but that just raised the temperature of the fire during the game. From there, it was all over the place.

The referees didn’t put their pants on during the match, so it all spilled over. And Tom Wilson did whatever he wanted on the ice, including a blow to Alexandre Carrier’s head.

But that went unpunished by the league and the on-ice referees. Do you think the NHL is hitting the wrong nail on the head? To me, the answer is pretty clear.

Tom Wilson ROCKED Alexandre Carrier, leading to the Caps’ game-tying goal! pic.twitter.com/1YjY6cvyPZ

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 28, 2025

Xhekaj kept a low profile throughout the match.

Yesterday, Sportsnet broadcast images of Xhekaj before the game, during the warm-up period. He got the chew, but that doesn’t mean he should be fined? Not in my eyes.

“He has been an absolute presence tonight.”@lukegazdic breaks down Arber Xhekaj’s play through two periods. pic.twitter.com/dOdj7yT5eY

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 28, 2025

Details to come…

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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