Capitals’ Ryan Leonard fined for high-sticking Devils’ Glass
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Sunday morning that Washington Capitals forward Ryan Leonard has been assessed a fine of $2,448.45, the maximum allowable under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, for a high-sticking infraction he committed against New Jersey Devils center Cody Glass on Saturday.
The play took place with 5:39 remaining in the second period of Saturday’s game, and Leonard was given a double minor on the play, in which he actively swung his stick into Glass’ head and face area.
Leonard is in his second full year as an NHL player, and he has notched 14 points through the team’s 18 games on seven goals and seven assists. This is the first time in Leonard’s young career in which he has received supplemental discipline from the DoPS.
The Devils picked up a 7-4 win over the Capitals in the second half of a home-and-home between the two Metropolitan Division foes. This meeting took place in D.C. and marked a sweep for New Jersey after the Devils came from behind to earn a 5-2 victory at Prudential Center on Thursday.
New Jersey and Washington are jockeying for positioning in the Metro, as both teams look to rectify their shortcomings from a season ago that saw them miss out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs altogether.
Following their acquisition of super star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who started and won both halves of this home-and-home, the Devils sit just four points behind the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, who are playing at a historic pace, for first in the division.
The Caps made several big swings in the offseason, signing Alex Tuch and trading for Jordan Kyrou to fortify their forward depth. Washington’s moves have yet to pay off in the standings, as their 10-8-0 start has them 10 points behind New Jersey for second, albeit with three games in hand.
The Capitals will be back in action next Tuesday when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning, while the Devils are off until Wednesday when they will square off with the Montreal Canadiens.
