Devils’ Timo Meier given game misconduct for cross-checking Predators’ Zachary L’Heureux
On Monday night, in a game between the New Jersey Devils and the Nashville Predators, Devils forward Timo Meier received a five-minute major penalty for cross-checking Predators forward Zachary L’Heureux. Meier was also given a game misconduct for the act.
The incident happened in the latter half of the third period. After Nashville netminder Scott Wedgewood smothered the puck, Meier and L’Heureux started to get into it behind the Preds’ goal. Meier hit the rookie with a couple of cross-checks, one catching L’Heureux up high, sending the former Halifax Moosehead sprawling to the ice. That led to a brief skirmish between the two teams.
Wow. Timo Meier just cross checked Zach L'Heureux in the face after the play. Blood and injury. It leads to a five minute major penalty.
Predators will have a 5-minute major power play, down two goals. pic.twitter.com/nh6bLkRlNC
L’Heureux immediately skated off the ice and went down the tunnel into the Predators’ dressing room. Nashville was unable to score on the major power play, and went on to lose to the Devils 5-2, thanks to Nico Hischier’s natural hat trick in the second period. Meier picked up an assist on the New Jersey captain’s first goal.
L’Heureux also put his name on the scoresheet as he scored his second goal of the season a little before the halfway mark of the third.
In the first eight-plus seasons of his NHL career, Meier has never been suspended, though he has had to shell out some money in the past. During his first full season in the NHL in 2017-18, he was fined $2,403.67 for elbowing Michael Del Zotto, then a member of the Vancouver Canucks. In March 2019, he was handed a $2,000 fine for a second offense of Rule 64, concerning diving and embellishment.
In 2024-25, Meier has scored seven goals and eight assists for 15 points. In 564 career appearances, the former Moosehead has notched 198 goals and 198 assists for 396 points, with another 24 points coming in 46 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
The Devils (15-7-2) are atop the Metropolitan Division, one point ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes. New Jersey is scheduled to host the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.