Cristall's cross-check costs him $2,250 and nothing else
Player Safety went with the CBA-max fine instead of a suspension, so the Capitals prospect stays available for the rest of preseason.
The NHL fined Capitals forward Andrew Cristall $2,250.86 on Tuesday for cross-checking Flyers defenseman Hunter McDonald in the face during Monday's preseason game in Hershey, per NHL.com and Daily Faceoff. That's the maximum fine the CBA allows. There's no suspension, so Cristall stays available for the rest of Washington's preseason.
The play came midway through the second period, right after McDonald put Ryan Leonard into the boards. Cristall answered with a cross-check to the face and drew a five-minute major plus a game misconduct. Spencer Carbery told reporters his "heart was in the right place," per RMNB.
Ferda read: sticking up for Leonard is the right instinct. The stick to the face is the wrong tool. Cristall is 21, coming off 60 points in 72 AHL games with Hershey, and chasing his NHL debut.
A fine and a warning is the best outcome he could've hoped for. Player Safety just told every kid in camp where the line is. It's about two inches below the visor.