NHL fines Canucks' Pettersson for slashing Flames' Monahan

The NHL has decided to hit Elias Pettersson in the wallet after he hit Sean Monahan with his stick on Monday.

The Vancouver Canucks star has been fined $3,987.07, which is the maximum allowable under the NHL-NHLPA collective bargaining agreement, for slashing.

Pettersson swung his stick at Monahan, hitting the Calgary Flames centre in the chest, which appeared to be in retaliation to a pair of minor crosschecks while battling for the puck in the corner.

Pettersson was assessed a penalty for high-sticking, and was still in the box when Elias Lindholm scored a power play goal while Calgary had a 5-on-3, to give the Flames a two-goal lead late in the second period.

Pettersson told reporters it was a “dumb penalty” after the game, and talked about “letting the team down.”

“I was just disappointed in myself for being selfish,” he said.