Mike Matheson faces NHL discipline after Montreal Canadiens defenseman’s preseason attack on Ridly Greig: What happened during the Montreal Canadiens-Ottawa Senators game

The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators met in preseason, and there was a significant disciplinary development following an altercation involving Mike Matheson and Ridley Greig. The incident took place Saturday, Sept. 26, in the second period at Montreal’s Bell Center.The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the sequence and made its decision Sunday. Matheson was fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for roughing Greig. Matheson will not sit out any games because of the financial penalty for the incident.Mike Matheson faces discipline after attack on Ridly GreigThe play took place at 10:43 of the second period when Greig and Matheson were fighting in front of the Montreal net. Sources say Greig reached out to Matheson during the net-front battle, and the Montreal defenseman threw a punch back.The two players then moved toward the ice, and Matheson continued the exchange. Officialsintervened after the confrontation became heated, with both players drawing two-minute roughing penalties during the game.The NHL later assessed an additional $5,000 fine for roughing in Matheson’s actions. The money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, the league said.Discipline detailInformationPlayerMike MathesonTeamMontreal CanadiensOpposing playerRidly GreigInfractionRoughingFine$5,000SuspensionNoneIncident time10:43 of second periodFund receiving finePlayers’ Emergency Assistance FundRidly Greig draws attention during preseason clashMatheson engaged in the net-front battle with the Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig. The exchange quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the preseason meeting between the two Atlantic Division clubs.Greig and Matheson were battling for position around the Montreal net before the fight broke out, reports say. Matheson reacted after going down and hit Greig before more contact ensued on the ice.Greig also received a minor for roughing in the game, but the announced supplementary discipline from the NHL was for Matheson. The league’s official announcement of the $5,000 fine identified Matheson as the only player involved.Matheson avoids suspension before regular seasonNHL ruling clears Matheson to play in Montreal Canadiens’ regular-season opener. The fine is the maximum allowable under the current collective agreement, but does not include a game suspension.That difference matters for Montreal, as the preseason incident happened just days before the Canadiens start their regular-season schedule. Sportsnet has reported that Montreal will open its season on Sept. 29 versus the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa will open its regular season against the same opponent on Oct. 3.Montreal Canadiens await fallout from NHL decisionThe $5,000 fine brings a clear end to the league’s examination of the Matheson-Greig confrontation. NHL Player Safety determined that the play was a case of roughing and issued the maximum fine allowable under the CBA, rather than a suspension.The decision also keeps the focus on how preseason physicality can have disciplinary ramifications even without a suspension. Matheson’s case is a reminder that the NHL can still levy supplemental discipline even after an on-ice penalty has already been called.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.