The standard of NHL hockey is the stick is used the same way hands are used....hands go up as someone approaches you for a hit, the stick goes up as well.  Cross checking in close quarters is par for the course.  So this reaction by the Capital to Crosby is deemed a "hockey play".

But this does not need to be a hockey play.  If players were assessed strong penalties for stick work, sticks would come down....even in this reactive play to Crosby by the Capital player.  So there is no suspension or expectation of a suspension in today's hockey environment.  The question is whether that standard is the right one.  I grew up playing hockey where cross checking was a penalty.  Now, players wear protective padding on their back because of the frequency of cross checks.

I believe today's standard is inconsistent with the rules of hockey but the NHL obviously thinks otherwise.