Malenstyn, Xhekaj fined for actions in Game 3 of Canadiens-Sabres series

NEW YORK — Sabres forward Beck Malenstyn and Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj are paying for their actions.

The NHL’s department of player safety said in separate statements Monday both players have been fined the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement for indiscretions in Montreal’s 6-2 victory over Buffalo that gave the Original Six franchise a 2-1 lead in the teams’ second-round playoff series.

Malenstyn was docked US$3,515.63 after he ran over Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes in Sunday’s second period. He was also assessed a minor penalty on the play.

Xhekaj, meanwhile, was fined $3,385.42 for roughing Sam Carrick in the dying seconds of regulation on a sequence where he punched the Sabres forward in the face. The blueliner was also handed a two-minute infraction by the on-ice officials.

The money goes to the NHL/NHLPA players’ emergency assistance fund.

Game 4 of the series is set for Tuesday night back at the Bell Centre.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2026.