Devils’ Johnathan Kovacevic fined $1,996.53 for cross-checking Matthew Tkachuk

The National Hockey League (NHL) Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday that New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic has been fined $1,996.53 for cross-checking Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.

The incident occurred at 0:30 of the first period. Kovacevic was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking.

The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Chaos ensued during the Panthers’ and Devils’ game following a massive hit by Tkachuk on the Devils’ captain, Nico Hischier. Florida would go on to win the game 2-1.

Kovacevic has been a gem for the Devils blueline racking up one goal and 11 assists for 12 in 46 games while averaging 19:51 minutes of ice time.

New Jersey acquired Kovacevic from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.

Kovacevic has spent the past two years with the Canadiens, registering nine goals and 28 points in 139 games. The 6-foot-5, 218-pound right-handed defender has spent four three years in the NHL, with all his points coming with Montreal.

Kovacevic was drafted 74th overall by the Jets in 2017. After spending three seasons with the Merrimack College of the NCAA, Kovacevic signed an entry-level contract with the Jets in 2019. He made his NHL debut with the Jets in the 2021-22 season and spent a year there before he was later claimed off waivers by the Montreal Canadiens ahead of the 2022-23 season, where he quickly became a regular part of their lineup.

Kovacevic has one year left on his contract worth $766,667 and could see a significant raise following his play so far with the Devils.

New Jersey is set to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.