Islanders forward Mathew Barzal has been fined $5,000 for cross-checking the Lightning’s Jan Rutta during Monday’s Game 5 loss to Tampa Bay.
The fine, which is the maximum allowable by the NHL collective bargaining agreement, means that Barzal will avoid suspension with the Islanders trying to stave off elimination against the Lightning at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday.
Barzal was given a major penalty and a game misconduct at the end of the second period in Monday’s eventual 8-0 loss when he got his stick up in the face of Rutta, knocking him to the ice.