Things got a little heated in Montreal last night, and the NHL's Department of Player Safety has handed down fines to players from both sides following Game 3's action-packed matchup between the Canadiens and Sabres.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj has been fined for sucker-punching Sabres forward Sam Carrick in the dying moments of the Habs' 6-2 victory. The incident, which occurred as tensions boiled over late in the third period, didn't go unnoticed by the league's disciplinary team.

On the other side, Buffalo Sabres forward Beck Malenstyn also received a fine for a devastating hit on Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes during the second period. Malenstyn's collision with the rookie netminder was nothing short of a full-body obliteration—a play that could have easily changed the game's momentum.

Remarkably, Dobes shook off the massive hit and stayed between the pipes. Not only did he remain in the game, but he delivered a stellar performance that helped the Canadiens secure a commanding 2-1 series lead. For a young goalie making his mark in the playoffs, that kind of resilience is exactly what fans love to see.

Both fines serve as a reminder that while playoff hockey brings out the passion and physicality, there are still lines that can't be crossed. As the series shifts back to Montreal for Game 4, expect both teams to be skating on thinner ice—and not just because of the rink conditions.