The NHL Player Safety Department has made their decision and decided to fine Leafs Oliver Ekman-Larsson $5,000 for his illegal play on Tampa's Jake Guentzel. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Toronto Maple Leafs</a> defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, for an interference penalty on Jake Guentzel of Tampa Bay. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/news/gary-bettman-and-the-nhl-bashed-by-fans-for-terrible-scheduling-of-frozen-frenzy' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>In the game</a> between the Leafs and the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/lightning/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Tampa Bay Lightning</a>, Ekman-Larsson made illegal contact with Guentzel and interfered with his ability to continue competing in the play. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/nhlplayersafety/status/1848757456479863184'> </a></blockquote></div> Interference in hockey is defined as when a player contacts an opponent who does not have possession of the puck and impedes their movement on the ice. The NHL's Department of Player Safety reviewed the incident and felt Ekman-Larsson's actions required additional discipline. A fine was doled out, but no suspension was levied, which means the defenseman will be available to play in future contests. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1848761721948643575'> </a></blockquote></div> This decision shows that the league <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/news/don-cherry-demands-change-and-has-had-enough-with-the-ridiculous-length-of-training-camp' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>cares about the safety</a> and correctness of the playing field to prevent physical contact that could spiral into a state of severity. The $5,000 fine, though at the maximum under the CBA, seems quite small in comparison to Ekman-Larsson's salary. Rather than being a significant financial punishment, it acts more like a formal warning. A message is given: repeated offenses could bring heavier punishments, including suspensions. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1848762112950059072'> </a></blockquote></div> The relatively light consequence further reflects the balancing act by which the NHL disciplines its players while still allowing them to compete. The incident, however, has not escaped the scrutiny of fans and analysts, who will be observing with much interest next time these two teams face off against each other. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/news/oliver-ekman-larsson-fined-maximum-for-interference' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>This tension between the players</a> may lead to more confrontations later in games for some time to come if the emotional remnants from this incident remain. This fine, albeit a small one considering how much Ekman-Larsson earns, is an indication nonetheless that the league will continue to police the game for the purpose of deterring potentially injurious plays. This, of course, is not something that fans are going to soon forget, and the results of this situation will be well monitored in further interactions between Toronto and Tampa Bay.