Marchand fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct with Dahlin

Brad Marchand was fined 5,000 by NHL Player Safety on Sunday for unsportsmanlike conduct after an on-ice altercation with Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during Saturday’s game in Buffalo, which the Sabres won 3-0. The incident occurred midway through the second period when Dahlin delivered a crosscheck to Marchand away from the puck, and Marchand responded by chasing down Dahlin, taking him to the ice and delivering punches. As an official escorted him to the penalty box, Marchand had Dahlin’s helmet in hand, ripped off its straps and tossed the helmet and straps back onto the ice.

Officials assessed Marchand two minutes for interference and two minutes for roughing. Buffalo forward Tage Thompson received a two-minute roughing penalty as well, giving the Sabres a power play. Josh Doan converted a tip-in 32 seconds into the man advantage to make the score 2-0, and Buffalo went on to a 3-0 victory, with goaltender Alex Lyon recording the shutout.

Dahlin commented to reporters after the game that “whoever gets the most angry is usually the one that gets the penalty. You have to stay calm in those moments.” Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff said the team fed off the physical...