Sid the Kid’s conundrum

Pundit talks Sidney Crosby’s concussion problems, Karlsson’s heavy lifting, Ducks-Oilers Game 7 and Nashville’s steady playoff run

The status of Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby briefly overshadowed his club’s series with the Washington Capitals.

After being sidelined by a concussion from a hit by Capitals defenceman Matt Niskanen in Game 3 and missing Game 4, Crosby returned to action in Game 5 and collected an assist in a 4-2 loss.

Regardless of the outcome of the series, Crosby’s injury raises concern over his health and the potential effects upon his playing career. He’s had four concussions during his 12 NHL seasons, suffering two of them since last October.

While Crosby has overcome his symptoms and remains the league’s top star, his concussion history could leave him more susceptible to future head trauma. The next blow to his head could bring his illustrious career to an end.

Erik the brave

Thanks to the leadership of captain Erik Karlsson, the Ottawa Senators are in position to eliminate the New York Rangers in Game 6 Tuesday and advance to the Eastern Conference final.

The Senators’ leading scorer (11 points), Karlsson also leads all playoff defencemen in points and all active post-season skaters in ice time, averaging 28 minutes and 57 seconds per game.

Karlsson’s accomplished those feats while skating with two hairline fractures in his left heel. So far, the injury hasn’t significantly hampered his play.

Despite winning two Norris Trophies as the league’s top defenceman, Karlsson was sometimes labelled a soft puckmoving blue-liner. In the 2017 playoffs, he’s silenced his critics and garnered a higher level of respect from his peers.

Getzlaf vs. Draisaitl Round 7

On Wednesday, the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers will square off in the seventh and deciding game of their second-round contest and all eyes will be upon Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf and Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl.

Over the course of this series, the two emerged as the leading scorers.

Getzlaf’s lit up the Oilers for five goals and 10 points. Often overshadowed by superstar Connor McDavid, Draisaitl’s torched the Ducks with five goals and 13 points.

The Ducks are trying to shed their reputation for choking in Game 7 scenarios, while the upstart Oilers hope to confound the odds by marching to the Western Conference final. Getzlaf or Draisaitl could determine the outcome of this entertaining series.

Predators on the prowl

After sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks from the opening round, the Nashville Predators eliminated the St. Louis Blues in a hard-fought six-game series. It’s the first time in franchise history they’ve advanced to the Western Conference final.

Throughout that low-scoring series, the Predators received timely offence from throughout their lineup. Underrated defenceman and leading scorer Ryan Ellis netted five of his nine points against the Blues.

Goaltender Pekka Rinne was outstanding, leading all playoff starters in goals-against average (1.37), save percentage (.951) and wins (eight).

Special teams also made the difference. The Preds tallied four power-play goals while their penalty killers limited the Blues to just one goal with the man advantage.