Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen has avoided an NHL hearing over his hit on Sidney Crosby in Monday night’s Game 3 in Pittsburgh, according to multiple reports.
Crosby left the game in the first period after Niskanen cross-checked him in the head. Crosby was skating in front of the goal and had fallen off-balance after Alex Ovechkin made contact on him with his stick and, as his body got lower with the fall, his head ended up level with Niskanen’s check.
Crosby never returned to the game and his status is unclear going forward.
Niskanen was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct penalty, which meant that he was kicked out of the game. He will not face further discipline, however.
The Capitals can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that one of their best defensive players will not be suspended. They may, however, also have to get ready for this already-physical series to become nastier still.
Niskanen said after Monday’s game that he wasn’t targeting Crosby’s head and that he didn’t intend to injure the Pittsburgh star. Capitals coach Barry Trotz called it “a hockey play.”
Those in Pittsburgh, however, felt differently. Niskanen wasn’t on the ice Monday following the hit but, now that it is certain he will be back out on Wednesday, he could find some angry Penguins waiting there for him.
• Nora Princiotti can be reached at nprinciotti@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.