"Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi was fined $50,000 by the NHL Friday for hinting that hockey operations executive Mike Murphy was motivated by an anti-Kings bias in validating a controversial goal scored against the team during its 2-0 loss to Phoenix on Thursday.

The NHL doesn't disclose all the fines it levies but this is a hefty sum based on known sanctions. Vancouver forward Alex Burrows was fined $2,500 last season after claiming referee Stephane Auger made a vindictive call against him, and fines of $10,000 have been imposed against coaches for criticizing officials or clashing with fans.

The call in question came when Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal appeared to have his stick above the height of the crossbar when he swatted the puck into the net in the second period Thursday but the referees ruled it a goal. The play was reviewed in the Toronto "war room" and the decision on the ice was upheld.

"We felt the views we had were not conclusive to overrule the refs' call on the ice," Murphy told The Times.

An irate Lombardi suggested Murphy had a grudge against the Kings. He referred to Murphy's upholding a decision to nullify an apparent Kings goal at Ottawa and Murphy's failed pursuit of a front-office job with the Kings."