Sens’ Brady Tkachuk fined after bizarre bench slashing

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk received a $2,500 fine on Friday for unsportsmanlike conduct on the bench during Thursday night's 4-1 win against the visiting Buffalo Sabres.

Tkachuk, 26, appeared to strike Buffalo's Beck Malenstyn in the face with his stick while he was sitting on the bench midway through the first period. He was assessed a minor penalty for slashing.

Tkachuk, who recorded one assist in the game, earned a five-minute major later in the first period after a fight with Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley.

He declined to speak with reporters after the game.

A three-time All-Star forward, Tkachuk has recorded 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) through 55 games this season. He has 456 points (211 goals, 245 assists) in 567 games since Ottawa drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2018.