Gallagher avoids suspension for sucker-punching Goodrow

Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher avoided suspension for sucker-punching New York Rangers forward Barclay Goodrow in the final minute of Tuesday's game.

Instead, he was fined $2,500 for roughing, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.

"I kind of expected that to come, but there's two sides to it as well. There was some acting involved there," Gallagher said Wednesday while addressing the league's decision, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu.

Gallagher was assessed a misconduct and a roughing minor following the incident. He and Goodrow jostled and traded verbal jabs before a faceoff in the neutral zone. After the puck was dropped, Gallagher dropped Goodrow.

The Rangers led 3-2 at the time and held on for their fourth consecutive victory.