Nick Cousins and Ottawa Senators penalized after intense warmup encounter with Toronto Maple Leafs

A shocking twist at the NHL playoffs witnessed Brian Nicholas (Nick) Cousins and the Ottawa Senators being penalized after an intense warmup encounter—now dubbed ' Warmupgate '—before Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs . Ottawa Senators centre Nick Cousins was fined $2,083.33, the maximum in the present CBA, while the Ottawa Senators were fined $25,000. This decision came after Cousins was caught on video shooting a puck at Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz during warmups.
Ottawa Senators fined as tensions boil over with Toronto Maple Leafs

Nick Cousins has been fined $2,083.33 for unsportsmanlike conduct during warmups, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for shooting a puck at Anthony Stolarz. pic.twitter.com/GHnYW9qA0t

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 25, 2025

Emotions had been high between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs long before the puck foul. In Game 1, Ottawa forward Ridly Greig hit Anthony Stolarz's lower leg, setting things up for high emotions. Game 2 saw some revenge, as Anthony Stolarz and Ridly Greig exchanged slashes, which left the two players with offsetting penalties.
The NHL knew that these rising incidents were taking place, and the actions of Nick Cousins during warmup were deemed unsportsmanlike. League spokesmen added the fines were necessary in keeping discipline and enforcing standards of behavior in crucial playoff games. Cousins had only returned to the lineup after a long stint on long-term injured reserve due to a knee injury. Through his activation on April 13, he's played in two of three playoff contests but received limited ice time, averaging under 10 minutes per game.
Anthony Stolarz responds to Ottawa Senators' toughness
Following Game 3, Anthony Stolarz confessed to having spoken to the officials before the game. “Watch my back, and I'll behave,” Stolarz pledged, admitting the fragile peace he was trying to keep. Unfortunately, the pre-game fight with Nick Cousins contradicted that and showed just how deep the vitriol between the two clubs ran.
The Toronto Maple Leafs continued to capitalize on the moment, winning a second consecutive overtime win in succession with a 3-2 victory in Game 3. The Ottawa Senators, at 3-0 down in the first-round playoff series , are on the verge of being eliminated heading into Game 4.
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Ottawa Senators stand at risk of elimination heading into Game 4
Still in emotional shock, the Ottawa Senators will need to bounce back in a flash to attempt to extend the series. Game 4 is on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.