It’s fair to say Tuesday’s match-up between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators quickly went awry.

The two hated rivals wasted no time engaging in yet another fight-filled night, which also included a pair of ugly incidents by Senators players that required further evaluation by the NHL’s Department Of Player Safety.

Canadiens Highlights: Demidov Shines On Fight Night In Quebec City

The DoPS decided not to suspend either player, but rather, opted for fines.

Hayden Hodgson will have to cough up a little over $2,0000 for boarding Canadiens forward Alex Newhook, a particularly vicious play that fortunately did not result in a long-term injury for Newhook.

Ottawa’s Hayden Hodgson has been fined $2,018.23, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for boarding Montreal’s Alex Newhook.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 1, 2025

As for Nick Cousin’s ugly slash on Ivan Demidov, the DoPS once again opted to go the fine route. Cousins will have to forfeit roughly $2,1000 for the blatant slash which forced Demidov to leave the game in the third period. At that point in the violent match-up, the teams had already engaged in a bevy of fights, with most of the interested partings having been thrown out of the game.

Ottawa’s Nick Cousins has been fined $2,148.44, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for slashing Montreal’s Ivan Demidov.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 1, 2025

It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions that come to the surface in a fight, but there’s no excusing Cousins’ blatant attempt to injure.

Cousins, one of the most detested players in the league, has never been suspended, however, this is the fifth time he’s been fined for behaviour that would be out of place in a local beer league, let alone the top hockey league in the world.

Noted dirtbag Nick Cousins with a straight up axe chop at Ivan Demidov’s wrist. pic.twitter.com/Q4eDik94r8

— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) October 1, 2025

Ivan Demidov

The Montreal Canadiens took Wednesday off, which means we did not receive any team-related updates regarding Demidov’s wrist, but according to Elliotte Friedman, it’s unlikely to be a significant injury.

RDS also suggested it’s not a cause for concern, going as far as saying he’ll be in good enough shape to play the final game of the preseason on Saturday, versus the very same Senators.

Don’t believe there’s any long-term injury concern for Demidov after the slash he took last night https://t.co/Jk8bwnfCE9

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 1, 2025