The NHL Department of Player Safety has fined New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct involving the San Jose Sharks bench on Saturday night.
The league office isn't letting this one slide. Following a tense exchange with the San Jose bench, the veteran center is lighter in the pocket today.
Discipline is the name of the game in March. While the fine is a drop in the bucket for a top-line pivot, the message from the league is clear.
Horvat has been a pillar for the Islanders. However, his frustration boiled over in a rare lapse of composure against the Sharks.The incident occurred during a shift change when words were exchanged. It wasn't a crisp passing play or a goal that got the attention this time. Instead Horvat decided to hit William Eklund in the helmet/face.
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New York needs Horvat on the ice, not in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. He's been a workhorse, averaging over 20 minutes of ATOI recently.
Bo Horvat fined $2500 for unsportsmanlike conduct from the NHL Player Safety
Over his NHL career, Horvat has rarely been a target for the Department of Player Safety. This fine is more of a warning shot than a heavy blow.
NY Islanders' Bo Horvat has been fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct for an incident involving San Jose's bench.
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The Islanders have a crucial homestand coming up. They need their top center focused on the power play, where they've struggled to find consistency lately.
Expect a bounce-back performance. When a leader gets called out by the league, they usually respond with a statement game on the scoresheet.
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