Cristall fined for cross-check, Penguins monitor injuries
Andrew Cristall faces a fine for cross-checking, while Penguins update injuries for Koivunen, Brazeau, and Kindel.
Quick answers
What was Andrew Cristall fined for?
Andrew Cristall was fined $2,250.86 for cross-checking Hunter McDonald during a preseason game. The incident occurred in retaliation after McDonald hit Ryan Leonard, leading to Cristall receiving a major penalty and a game misconduct.
What is the status of Ville Koivunen's injury with the Penguins?
Ville Koivunen is currently day-to-day due to a facial injury sustained from a puck in a scrimmage. He will miss a preseason game, while the team continues to evaluate his readiness.
Cristall’s fine for cross-checking incident
Capitals forward Andrew Cristall has been fined $2,250.86 for cross-checking Hunter McDonald during a preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers. This fine represents the maximum allowable amount under the collective bargaining agreement.
The incident took place at 7:07 in the second period. Cristall raised his stick and delivered a cross-check to McDonald’s face. This action followed McDonald’s hit on Washington’s Ryan Leonard, who was off-balance along the boards.
As a result of the cross-check, Cristall received a five-minute major penalty and a ten-minute game misconduct.
Penguins evaluate injuries ahead of preseason games
In Pittsburgh, injury updates are critical as the Penguins prepare for their preseason schedule. Players Ville Koivunen, Justin Brazeau, and Benjamin Kindel are all reported as day-to-day.
Koivunen, who signed a lucrative eight-year contract extension worth $32 million in the offseason, sustained a puck to the face during an intrasquad scrimmage. His injury will keep him out of the upcoming game.
Additionally, Brazeau and Kindel are not participating in practice. Brazeau suffered his injury during the last preseason game but managed to finish the match despite visible discomfort.
Kindel’s situation appears more serious. He left the previous preseason game early due to a lower-body injury. He had been lined up alongside veterans Andrei Kuzmenko and Bryan Rust before the injury forced his exit.
Carter Sanderson steps up for Penguins
In response to these injuries, forward Carter Sanderson will step into the lineup for the next preseason game. Sanderson was drafted in the sixth round in 2025 and is not expected to rise above the role of a 13th forward.
Last season, he posted impressive numbers, tallying 34 points with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. His inclusion in the lineup will be a test of his readiness for higher competition as injuries mount within the Penguins roster.
For related context, see latest NHL injury updates and recent NHL line usage.
Reporting for this story draws on Pro Hockey Rumors.
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