NHL Insider Calls Out Gary Bettman After Capitals and Canadiens Given Warning

The first round of the 2025 NHL playoffs have not disappointed as we have already witnessed upsets, drama, and intrigue.

Tensions have certainly been high as the teams get deeper in their series.

This has certainly been the case for the Canadiens and Capitals, who were warned earlier today after a scrum ensued in game three.

Oddly enough though, neither team was fined as a result of the brawl that broke out by the benches in that one.

However, Capitals forward Tom Wilson and Canadiens forward Josh Andersson both received 5000 dollar fines.

That being said, NHL insider Bruce Garrioch called out Gary Bettman after the warning, noting how weird it was that neither team was fined for it.

Of course, Garrioch is referring to the fact that the Ottawa Senators were fined 25000 dollars for pre-game shenanigans ahead of game three of the battle of Ontario.

In Garrioch's opinion, the brawl that broke out between the Capitals and Canadiens was at least just as bad if not worse than Nick Cousin's offense, and thus if the league was being consistent, both clubs should have received the same fine.

As a reminder, the Senators received the fine simply because Cousins shot a puck in the general direction of Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz during warmups.

Surly bringing a fight to the benches is a worse offense right? Apparently not in Bettman's NHL.

Hopefully the next league commissioner will implement more consistent rulings on league policies once Bettman finally retires from the league.