Sens’ Cousins, Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk fined

Posted October 22, 2026 12:03 pm

1 min read

NEW YORK – The NHL handed out a pair of fines Thursday following a heated matchup between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers that featured a third-period melee and the return of former Senators captain Brady Tkachuk.

Ottawa centre Nick Cousins was fined US$4,091.49 for unsportsmanlike conduct toward an opponent while on the bench, while Florida winger Matthew Tkachuk was fined $5,000 for roughing during the Senators’ 5-1 victory Wednesday.

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The NHL did not specify the incidents that led to the fines, but both players were involved in a heated third-period melee that erupted after Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark went down with an injury.

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Matthew Tkachuk roughed up Ottawa’s Dylan Cozens near the Senators’ bench, prompting Brady Tkachuk to go after Cozens and further escalating the confrontation. Cousins, meanwhile, drew the NHL’s attention for his actions from the Ottawa bench.

The emotionally charged game marked Brady Tkachuk’s return to Ottawa.

The former Senators captain spent eight seasons in Ottawa before requesting a trade in the off-season and joining forces with his brother Matthew in Florida.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press