Report: Panthers’ Brad Marchand to not receive suspension for hit on Canadiens’ Mike Matheson

According to a report from Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand will not have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for a hit he laid on Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson.

In the overtime period of Tuesday night’s 3-2 win for Montreal over Florida, Marchand was assessed a roughing minor for the hit, which appeared to primarily connect with Matheson’s head.

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Marchand shot to the head on Matheson. Should he be disciplined for this play?🤔

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5:26 AM · Dec 31, 2025

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Prior to the game, the Panthers held an on-ice ceremony for Marchand in which he received a gold stick in commemoration of his 1,000th NHL point. Marchand went on to score his 23rd goal of the season on a third-period power play to give Florida a 1-0 lead.

The Panthers added another with about five minutes remaining, but the Canadiens staged a furious rally with goals from Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki to force overtime. Suzuki added his second of the night to win it in the extra period on the power play that ensued from Marchand’s penalty.

Marchand was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct earlier this season, and over the course of his decade-and-a-half in the NHL, he’s put together quite the rap sheet. The former Bruin has been suspended eight times and fined on another eight occasions throughout his career.

The Nova Scotia native earned the second Stanley Cup championship of his career last year after winning as a rookie with Boston in 2010-2011. Now in his first full season with the Panthers, Marchand is in the first year of a six-season pact he signed to return to the team over the summer when he decided to forego hitting the open market as an unrestricted free agent to stay with Florida.

With Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov out with injuries, Marchand has stepped up in a big way offensively, as he leads the team in all three major offensive categories with 23 goals, 22 assists and 45 points.

The Panthers are in possession of one of the Eastern Conference’s two wild card spots with a record of 21-15-3, and they are set to host the New York Rangers at LoanDepot Park in Miami in the Winter Classic on Friday.