The NHL Department of Player Safety laid down the gavel on Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe on Tuesday.
Kempe slew-footed Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid in the third period of the Oilers' 1-0 victory on Monday.
"Los Angeles' Adrian Kempe has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for slew-footing Edmonton's Connor McDavid," the NHL Department of Player Safety announced on X on Tuesday.
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The officials didn't catch the play as Kempe snuck behind McDavid, who turned towards the boards after distributing the puck over the Kings' blue line and wedged his leg behind McDavid's.
McDavid was not injured on the play, but there was still no penalty on Kempe, which begs a broader concern about the protection of not only the game's most valuable players but everyone altogether.
Nonetheless, McDavid scored the lone goal to propel Edmonton to victory on the three-time Hart Trophy winner's 28th birthday.
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"It's always that way against LA," McDavid said. "It's always that kind of low-scoring, low-event hockey. We know how to play these games with them. I thought we maybe beat them at their own game today just playing patient and finding a way to get one and holding on for a win."
The $5,000 is the maximum fine that's allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement without a hearing.
All money collected from player fines is donated to the Players' Emergency Assistance fund.
Through 41 games this season, Kempe has recorded 20 goals and 19 assists, totaling 39 points. His 18 penalty minutes are tied for the sixth-highest on the team.
Kempe was chosen by the Kings with the 29th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 2016-17 season, recording two goals and six points in 25 games, and has since developed into a reliable depth scorer.
In his nine seasons with the Kings, the Swedish forward has compiled 179 goals, 188 assists, and 367 points in 590 games.
Los Angeles is currently ranked third in the Pacific Division with a 24-12-5 record, earning 53 points through 41 games this season.
The Kings are set to play the Vancouver Canucks next on Thursday, followed by the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday this week.
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