NHL Department of Player Safety hands out harsh penalty to veteran forward Bo Horvat

The discipline stems from a third-period scrum where Horvat targeted Sharks forward William Eklund. While Eklund was seated on the bench, Horvat reached over and shoved the young forward's visor, forcefully pushing his helmet back.

It was a rare moment of frustration for the Islanders alternate captain. Head coach Patrick Roy, known for his own fiery demeanour, saw his top center walk a thin line during what turned into a physical road game at SAP Center.

Despite the late-game antics, Horvat remained on the ice to play the hero. He buried the overtime winner with just 39.6 seconds left on the clock, securing a 2-1 victory and snapping a two-game skid for New York.

The fine is the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for this specific infraction. For Horvat, it is a small price to pay for a night where he also notched his team-leading 27th goal of the season.

The incident occurred at the 16:15 mark of the third period. While no penalty was assessed at the time, the league felt the need to step in given the contact with a player not currently involved in the play.

Patrick Roy praised the victory but likely won't be thrilled with the extracurriculars. The Islanders are currently in a dogfight for playoff positioning in the Metropolitan Division, sitting at 36-23-5.

Horvat has been the engine of this offense all year, producing 44 points through 64 games. His chemistry with Mathew Barzal and rookie Matthew Schaefer has been the primary reason the Islanders are currently holding down a top-three seed.

With the fine now settled, the focus shifts back to the standings. The Islanders need Horvat on the ice, not in the crosshairs of the Department of Player Safety, as they head into a crucial homestand.