Islanders forward Mathew Barzal was fined the maximum $5,000 Tuesday for his cross-check of Tampa Bay defenseman Jan Rutta in Monday night’s 8-0 loss in Game 5 of the semifinal series.
Barzal was given a major penalty and a game misconduct at the end of the second period for his hit on Rutta. Tampa Bay scored its seventh goal (by Brayden Point, extending his playoff goal scoring streak to eight games) on the ensuing power play.
There had been concern that Barzal might be suspended for the incident, but as a first-time offender, he was punished with the fine only.