NHL fines: Dylan McIlrath and Arber Xhekaj for unsportsmanlike conduct in pregame incident

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 29, 2025, 01:21 IST

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The NHL fined Montreal Canadiens player Arber Xhekaj $3,385.42 and Dylan McIlrath of the Washington Capitals $2,018.23 for unsportsmanlike conduct prior to the warm-ups for Game 4. In addition, both teams have been fined $25,000. It is clear from the imposition of these fines that the league will take a hard line against improper behavior in playoffs and will maintain all levels of sportsmanship.

NHL fines: Dylan McIlrath and Arber Xhekaj for unsportsmanlike conduct in pregame incident

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The NHL has imposed fines against Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj and Capitals' counterpart Dylan McIlrath for unsportsmanlike conduct during warm-ups before Game 4 of their series on Sunday. Xhekaj received the maximum fine of $3,385.42 while McIlrath was fined $2,018.23. In addition, both teams were fined $25,000 as well.

Dylan McIlrath and Arber Xhekaj face NHL fines for unsportsmanlike conduct

The incident reportedly took place prior to the April 27 Game 4 that saw the Washington Capitals defeat the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 and take a 3-1 lead in the series. Both Xhekaj and McIlrath were fined for their actions on the ice during the warmup sessions. The fines were subsequently levied under the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which stipulates that fines for such conduct should not exceed the player's salary in one day.

Xhekaj, who logged 12:51 of ice time in the game, has been effective in the playoffs for the Canadiens with his hard-nosed style of play. Meanwhile, a player for the Capitals, McIlrath has been a healthy scratch all playoffs long: He did suit up for warm up but never did get on the ice to play that evening. Though he did not play in the game, what McIlrath did during the warmup warranted the fine.

The fines do send a clear message, as do those given to both teams, that the NHL will not tolerate unsportsmanlike conduct or any actions that disturb the order on the ice, no matter how trivial it might seem. This might seem to you that the NHL earned its steel reputation by always weighing sportsmanship on the scales against punishment for players at such games.

Capitals Command Series with 3-1 Lead

The fine set aside, controversy concerning the incident before the game has Washington taking a 3-1 series lead with a 5-2 win. While Game 5 on Wednesday will be in Washington, the Canadiens will be regrouping and trying to keep their slim hopes alive.
Also Read: Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers: Key stats and breakdown for Round 1
The fines are reminders that anything regarded as unsportsmanlike, like Xhekaj's and McIlrath's behavior, will not be tolerated in the NHL. The fines will be considered side stories to an already heated series, while both teams concerned will now focus on the games as the playoffs emerge.

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TOI Sports Desk

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