NHL Player Safety comes down on Barzal and fans are quick to react!

Everything about the New York Islanders was ugly on Monday night. Especially when star  Mathew Barzal was ejected from Game 5 of their series against the  Tampa Bay Lightning  after a cross-check to the face of defenseman Jan Rutta. 

It all started when Rutta and Islanders’Jean-Gabriel Pageau battled in front of the Bolts’ net, with the blue liner delivering a series of cross-checks. As Rutta skated to the bench, Barzal engaged with him and delivered a cross-check to his shoulder and then one that appeared to strike the defender across the face.

Rutta dropped to the ice with Barzal on top of him as the buzzer sounded to end the second period. The referees called Barzal for a five-minute major and a game misconduct. He was ejected from the game and Rutta did not return for the third period. 

Things could have gotten uglier for the Islanders on Tuesday as Barzal received supplemental discipline for his move. It was announced that Barzal has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for cross-checking Rutta.

No suspension. 

It was the first major penalty of Barzal’s career in either the regular season or the playoffs. Barzal is one of the Islanders’ leading scorers in the playoffs, with six goals and six assists in 16 games.

And he will get to be in the Isles’ lineup as they face elimination on Wednesday night. Fans quickly reacted to the league's decision, as they often do, when the announcement was made. 

Some could not believe that Barzal did not receive more discipline as Rutta was unable to compete in the remainder of the game...