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

By The Canadian Press

NHL fines Senators’ Cousins, Hodgson after chippy pre-season game against Canadiens

Oct 1, 2025 | 11:26 AM

NEW YORK — The NHL issued fines to Ottawa Senators forwards Nick Cousins and Hayden Hodgson on Wednesday after a heated 5-0 pre-season loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday in Quebec City.

Cousins was fined US$2,148.44, the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, for slashing Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov in the right wrist area at 7:22 of the third period. Cousins received a minor penalty on the play.

Demidov shook his right arm in visible pain and exited the game. Head coach Martin St. Louis said post-game the team was evaluating Demidov’s injury, but noted he wasn’t concerned.

Hodgson was fined $2,018.23, also the maximum allowable, for boarding Canadiens forward Alex Newhook. The incident occurred at 16:47 of the second period, and Hodgson was assessed a major penalty.

The Senators and Canadiens totalled 152 penalty minutes in a chippy exhibition game that featured several fights — including two each from brothers Arber and Florian Xhekaj of the Canadiens — at the Vidéotron Centre.

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The Atlantic Division rivals meet again at Montreal’s Bell Centre on Saturday to wrap up their pre-season schedules.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2025.

The Canadian Press