Brady Tkachuk is swearing he had no idea it was Cayden Primeau's first-win and had no ill intentions when he picked up the puck and skated away during the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 overtime win over Ottawa Wednesday night.

"Honestly, I didn't even realize it was his first win puck," he told The Athletic's Chris Stevenson. "I know (Primeau). I played with him at the U18 Worlds and we won a gold medal together. I know him pretty well. Honestly, I didn't even think of it. When I saw him, I was like 'Oh, OK.' I didn't even realize. I was just going to give the puck to a kid in the stands."

Carey Price seemed to think differently after the game had ended. After coming off the bench to congratulate Primeau on his first career NHL win in his second game, Price immediately skated over to Tkachuk and asked for the puck, telling The Athletic in a later interview that he believed Tkachuk was trying to take it back to the visitor's dressing room.

"I think so," Price said, per The Athletic's Arpon Basu. "I was watching to see what happened to the puck and just saw him scoop it up."

The Habs' Brenden Gallagher agreed, saying "of course he was" when asked if he thought Tkachuk was trying to steal the puck.

Primeau ended up getting the puck in the end.

Tkachuk has earned himself a reputation as a pest and someone very good at getting under opponents' skin. Now it all comes down to who you believe.