Philadelphia Flyers rookie forward Matvei Michkov was fined nearly US$2,500 for an action committed during Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.
The sanction was announced Monday afternoon by the National Hockey League Security Department.
In the third period, Michkov raised his stick too high towards his rival Quinton Byfield, and the blade of his stick hit his rival’s protective helmet.
In the sequence, the Russian winger was sent off for high stick, while Byfield was sent to the cell for roughness. The teams then played four against four.
The sum of $2,473.96 that Michkov will have to pay is the maximum fine allowed by the collective agreement.
After seven straight games without a point, Michkov provided a goal and an assist as LA Philadelphia eventually lost 5-4.
Matthews’ return will still have to wait
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews returned to practice with the team on Monday while still nursing an upper-body injury, reports David Alter of The Hockey News.
Head coach Craig Berube, however, confirmed to reporters that Matthews will not be available to face the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
The star has missed his team’s last four games after aggravating an upper-body injury that kept him out of the lineup for nine games earlier in the season.
The 6-foot-2 center has 11 goals and 23 points in 24 games this season.
The Maple Leafs also recalled goaltender Dennis Hildeby from the Toronto Marlies on Monday and assigned goaltender Matt Murray to their American League club.
The move comes after Murray allowed four goals on 31 shots in a loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. He is 1-1-0 with the Maple Leafs this season with an .879 save percentage and a 3.54 goals-against average.
Hildeby hasn’t played with the Maple Leafs since allowing three goals on 27 shots in a win over the Buffalo Sabers on Dec. 15. The 23-year-old goalie is 2-1-0 in the NHL this season with an .875 save percentage and a 3.68 GAA.
Gostisbehere on the sidelines indefinitely
The Carolina Hurricanes will be without defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere indefinitely due to an upper-body injury, head coach Rod Brind’Amour announced Monday.
Gostisbehere, who last played on December 27, has 6 goals, 21 assists and is minus-6 in 35 games this season.
The club also recalled defenseman Riley Stillman from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and placed forward Jack Drury on the injured list.
Drury underwent hand surgery on December 12 and missed the final eight games.
