Latest concussion sidelines Crosby
The scene brought back jarring memories. Sidney Crosby woozily making his way off the ice after taking a brutal hit from a member of the Capitals. His brain foggy. His immediate future uncertain.
The sight of their captain slowly heading to the dressing room Monday night after a violent crosscheck to the jaw from Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen left Crosby’s Penguins teammates shaken. The diagnosis came the next morning: Crosby is sidelined indefinitely with yet another concussion.
For goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, Crosby’s nomadic two-year recovery from a concussion sustained after taking a shoulder to the head by Capitals forward David Steckel in 2011 remains fresh.
It’s why Fleury’s concern as the defending Stanley Cup champions prepared for Wednesday’s Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal against the Capitals wasn’t so much on how the Penguins will survive without their most indispensable player but on Crosby’s general well-being.
“It’s a tough moment for sure,” Fleury said. “You know, you care a lot about him. We’ve been friends for a long time. I know he’s always devoted to the team. He’s always working hard out there. Hoping he feels better soon and see him smile again.”
Crosby spent part of Tuesday at the team’s training facility being evaluated. Barely 12 hours removed from a hit that provided a stark reminder of Crosby’s concussion history, the game’s best player tried to focus on pushing forward instead of looking back.
“He’s very upbeat and he’s very positive,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’re very optimistic and we’re hopeful that we’ll get him back in a timely fashion.”
Just not in time to try to help the Penguins build on the 2-1 lead they take into Game 4. Sullivan declined to speculate on Crosby’s availability beyond Game 4.
Penguins forward Conor Sheary could also be out of the lineup Wednesday after being diagnosed with a concussion of his own following a collision with teammate Patric Hornqvist.
Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist as the host Rangers cut their deficit to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Michael Grabner, Rick Nash and Oscar Lindberg also scored, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 shots for the Rangers, who have won three straight playoff games at Madison Square Garden after losing six straight on home ice.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who had four goals in the Senators’ 6-5 double-overtime win in Game 2, scored again, and Craig Anderson finished with 26 saves.
Game 4 is Thursday night in New York.