PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without the services of Sidney Crosby when they take the ice for Game 4 against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
KDKA’s John Shumway Reports:
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Head coach Mike Sullivan announced that Crosby has suffered a concussion after taking a cross-check to the head during the first period of Game 3.
Sullivan on Crosby’s mindset: “He’s very upbeat and positive. We’re very optimistic and hopeful we’ll have him back in a timely fashion.”
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 2, 2017
Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen was was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit, but it appears he will escape further punishment.
According to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post, Niskanen will not have a disciplinary hearing.
Matt Niskanen will not have a hearing for his cross-check on Sidney Crosby.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) May 2, 2017
The incident happened early in the first period as Crosby drove to the net. First, Alex Ovechkin slashed Crosby in the shoulder area and the follow-through caught the Penguins’ captain in the head. Additionally, their skates came together. The result of all the contact caused Crosby to lose his balance.
Fans are livid and should be !! Niskanen 5 minute major Game Misconduct!! Caps resort to cheap tactics.
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) May 1, 2017
As he was leaning back and possibly about to fall to the ice, Niskanen met him with a cross-check to the face. It’s debatable whether or not it was intentional because the whole sequence happened very fast.
READ MORE: Parents Of Woodland Hills High School Students Concerned About School Safety Following Another ThreatRegardless of intent, it was a brutal hit and the call on the ice was warranted.
Crosby remained down on the ice for a brief period of time before he was helped to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
KDKA’s Bob Allen has more from Fans:
The team has also announced that Conor Sheary suffered a concussion in Game 3 after a collision with Patric Hornqvist.
The Penguins lost the Game 3, 3-2 in overtime, but still lead the series 2-1.
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