NHL fines Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola for final-second slapshot toward Montreal players

The NHL has levied a fine against Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola.

On Monday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Mikkola had been fined $5,000 for what it calls “unsportsmanlike conduct” during Sunday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Montreal defeated Florida 4-2 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.

In the game’s final seconds, Mikkola had the puck on his stick in the Panthers defensive zone.

As time expired, Mikkola wound up and fired a blistering slapshot down the ice that nearly hit David Savard about 150 feet away.

The Canadiens players responded, understandably so, by going after Mikkola as officials attempted to usher the players to their respective locker rooms.

Mikkola was given a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct and a ten minute misconduct, according to the game’s official scoresheet.

It took less than 24 hours after the game had ended for the NHL to respond with the $5,000 fine, which is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.

We’ll see how Montreal responds when they host the Panthers Tuesday night at Bell Center.

Between the aforementioned animosity and how both teams are fighting for every point they can get in the standings, it should be a doozie.

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