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

By Canadian Press on October 1, 2025.

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.

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