Future uncertain for Penguins star Crosby after another concussion

and defenseman Kris Letang are already out, absences Crosby’s brilliance has helped the Penguins overcome.

This, however, is something different.

“You can’t replace (Crosby) but I think we’ve shown that through the season whenever the guy’s not there, other guys have to step up,” Fleury said. “And we’re lucky to have depth on our team. I think we have enough to win games.”

Niskanen received a five-minute major and a game misconduct after his stick caught his former teammate across the jaw. He will play after the league decided against holding a hearing to review the incident.

Washington coach Barry Trotz called it “the right decision” while stressing the cross-check was “a hockey play.”

Fleury said the Penguins can’t get caught up in trying to retaliate, though Washington expects Pittsburgh to ramp up the physical play going forward.

“It should be nasty,” Washington forward Jay Beagle said. “It’s the playoffs. That’s the way we like to play. That’s the way they like to play. Hard hits. Going after each other.”

Even without Crosby, the Penguins won’t lack for star power. As if sensing a change in the dynamic of the series, Pittsburgh forward Evgeni Malkin went back out for a brief postgame skate on Monday night and was one of a handful of regulars who showed up for an optional skate on Tuesday.

Malkin won the Hart Trophy in 2012, the same season in which Crosby was limited to just 22 games. The Russian has a way of raising his game with Crosby out. The Penguins will need him to do it again if they want to survive without Crosby.

“He does things with the puck like no one else,” Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist said. “He looks like he’s playing loose. He’s a hell of a player. We’re looking forward to tomorrow and get the win.”