NHL fines Panthers' Nick Cousins, Blues' Oskar Sundqvist for embellishment

The NHL fined Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins $2,000 for diving/embellishment - NHL Rule 64 - in the Panthers' Feb. 27 game against the Buffalo Sabres.

It was Cousins' second embellishment citation, triggering the fine.

The league also fined St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist for his second offense, which came in a Feb. 28 game against the Edmonton Oilers. Sundqvist was given a warning for a Feb. 11 incident against the Montreal Canadiens.

NHL Rule 64 provides graduated penalty steps and is set up to keep players from repeatedly diving and embellishing contact while trying to draw a penalty.

A third citation would result in a $3,000 fine for the player, a fourth would be $4,000 and a fifth citation carries a $5,000 fine for the player and a $2,000 fine for the coach.

The NHL issued Cousins a warning for a Nov. 4 incident against the Chicago Blackhawks. Cousins' second violation came when Sabres forward Jordan Greenway hit Cousins after a whistle.

Cousins acted as if he were seriously injured but almost immediately got up and went to help teammates involved in a scrum.

The money collected from the fines goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

- Field Level Media