NHL Announces Punishment for Sabres, Canadiens After Game 3
The Stanley Cup Playoffs have been brutal, physical and intense early in 2026, especially in the Eastern Conference, with things being taken to another level through a round and a half.
That's especially true for the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens, who both hand to grind through their opponents in round one, and through three games, things haven't gotten much easier for either team. Game 3 was even more intense as the series shifted to the Bell Centre, and while Montreal came out on top 6-2 in a dominant performance, the game was full of physicality and hatred.
Things escalated most when veteran winger Beck Malenstyn ran through goaltender Jakub Dobes, with chaos ensuing in front of a rapturous crowd of Canadiens fans.
Beck Malenstyn slams into Jakub Dobes and chaos ensues pic.twitter.com/BR9QfkwuQH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 11, 2026
Now, the NHL's Department of Player Safety have come down on him, announcing a fine of $3,515.63 for goalie interference, representing the maximum allowable fine they can hand down for the infraction.
Buffalo's Beck Malenstyn has been fined $3,515.63, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for goalie interference against Montreal's Jakub Dobes.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 11, 2026
That wasn't the only fine handed out from the game however, as the Department of Player Safety also announced a fine for Arber Xhekaj, a player they're no stranger too for his involvement in a scuffle, with a fine of $3,385.42 coming his way for roughing Sam Carrick.
Arber Xhekaj DROPPED Sam Carrick with a right at the end of the game pic.twitter.com/gcqqoqQMuv
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 11, 2026
Montreal's Arber Xhekaj has been fined $3,385.42, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for roughing Buffalo's Sam Carrick.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 11, 2026
Following Game 3, this series is now in Montreal's favor 2-1, but given how intense and heated things have gotten through the first three games, it's safe to say that whoever gets through to battle the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals will be battered when they get there. Game 4 between these two teams takes place on Tuesday night, and if things are anything like they were on Sunday, expect plenty more fireworks.
Related: Sabres Announce Sam Carrick News After 15 Games Missed
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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 4:26 PM.