<
>

Caps' Tom Wilson, Canadiens' Josh Anderson fined $5K for melee

play
Canadiens-Caps brawl spills into the bench at end of 2nd period (1:45)

The Canadiens and Capitals close the second period with a massive brawl in which Josh Anderson and Tom Wilson spar into the bench. (1:45)

MONTREAL -- The NHL has punished the main combatants in a bench-clearing altercation in Friday night's playoff game between the Canadiens and Capitals.

Capitals forward Tom Wilson and Canadiens forward Josh Anderson were each fined $5,000 by the league.

It's the maximum allowable under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement.

Wilson and Montreal defenseman Arber Xhekaj were pushing and shoving each other as time expired in the second period.

Anderson intervened before falling backward into Washington's bench, which had a door open.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Wilson followed the 6-foot-3, 226-pound Anderson in and charged through a linesman toward the Canadiens winger before a roaring crowd at Bell Centre.

Both Anderson and Wilson were assessed a minor penalty for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct for the fight.

Their fine money goes to the players' emergency assistance fund.