NHL fines Sharks’ Evander Kane for elbowing

SAN JOSE — Forward Evander Kane was fined $5,000 by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Wednesday morning for elbowing Radko Gudas in the third period of the Sharks’ game against the Washington Capitals.

The fine is the maximum allowable under the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the NHL’s Players Association.

Kane was given a five-minute major for elbowing and a game misconduct with 5:01 left in regulation time of Tuesday’s game, a 5-2 Sharks loss.

Kane and Gudas were chasing a loose puck in front the Capitals bench. As Gudas approached the puck, Kane lifted his right hand and caught him in the face. Gudas went down and landed awkwardly in front of the boards.

Kane was then approached by Capitals forward Tom Wilson before Alex Ovechkin came over. Kane was then sent to the penalty box and after a review, was ejected from the game.

Gudas left the game and did not return.

“The refs made the correct call,” Capitals coach Todd Reirden said. “It’s a high hit, it’s a review-able penalty and the league will deal with it from there. But that’s the type of stuff we’re working to remove from the game.”

The Sharks were hoping they would not have to go into their four-game road trip without Kane being available. When Kane was suspended for three games for abuse of officials at the start of the regular season, the Sharks went 0-3-0 and scored just three goals.

Based on his average annual salary, Kane also had to forfeit $112,903.23 as part of his suspension.

Kane scored earlier in the third period Tuesday, his team-leading 13th of the season. Coming into the game, he averaged 20 minutes and 17 seconds of ice time per game, most among all Sharks forwards.

The Sharks begin a four-game road trip Thursday in Carolina against the Hurricanes. The trip continues with games in Tampa Bay on Saturday, Florida on Sunday and Nashville on Tuesday.