NHL Fines Islanders' Barzal $5,000 for Slashing

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal received a $5,000 fine from the NHL on Monday for slashing Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mason Marchment during Sunday's 4-2 loss at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, but avoided a suspension that would have sidelined him for Tuesday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The incident occurred 1:37 into the second period, with the score tied 1-1. Marchment, who had drawn a roughing penalty earlier in the first period for a late hit on Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, extended his knee to trip Schaefer at center ice. Barzal responded by swinging his stick two-handed at Marchment's legs, prompting a scrum on the ice. Officials assessed Barzal a five-minute major for slashing and a 10-minute game misconduct, ejecting him from the contest. Marchment received a two-minute tripping penalty, which offset much of the Islanders' power play time.

Barzal's absence proved costly for the Islanders, who killed off the major but struggled to maintain momentum without their top-line forward. Columbus forward Kirill Marchenko opened the scoring at 8:09 of the first with a glove-side shot past Islanders goaltender David Rittich. New York...