Andrew Cristall is lighter in the pocketbook after the Washington Capitals’ 5-2 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.
The Capitals’ prospect winger was fined $2,250.86, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for his high cross-check on Flyers defenseman Hunter McDonald.
The play in question occurred during the second period at Hershey’s Giant Center as McDonald cleaned Caps forward Ryan Leonard out hard into the boards. Cristall then immediately skated over and cross-checked McDonald in the face, sparking a melee in Philadelphia’s zone.
Cristall was assessed a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct, ending his night with 7:07 remaining in the second period.
Andrew Cristall cross-checks Hunter McDonald in the face
“Heart was in the right place,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery told RMNB and other reporters after the game. “I told the guys that. I mean, he’s trying to stick up for a teammate that just got hit.”
Cristall is looking to make his NHL debut this season after playing his rookie professional season with the AHL’s Hershey Bears this past year. The 21-year-old forward notched 60 points (20g, 40a) in 72 games for the Bears during the 2025-26 season, finishing third in scoring among all rookie skaters.
With Cristall avoiding suspension, he will be eligible to dress in Washington’s final two preseason games against the Flyers and Boston Bruins later this week.
