The melee began late in the second period when Wilson hit Jake Evans, prompting retaliation from Ivan Demidov. Xhekaj and Wilson then tried to engage but were separated by officials. Moments later, Josh Anderson fought Wilson at the Capitals’ bench, leading to game misconducts and additional roughing penalties.

The NHL has punished the main combatants in a bench-clearing altercation in Friday night’s playoff game between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals.

Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson and Montreal Canadiens' Josh Anderson got into a period-ending brawl on a team bench that sparked more fights during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.