NHL Needs to Come Down Hard on the Capitals and Game 4 will be fireworks
There was a players only meeting after the game 2 loss for the Washington Capitals. They probably had one thing in mind only: intentionally injure Sidney Crosby.
Well, early in game 3 Alex Ovechkin cross checked Sidney Crosby in the back of the head and as Crosby was falling, Matt Niskanen did the same thing as well, but he did it on the side of the head.
Nisaken was given the five-minute major. In reality Ovechkin was the one that started the cross check, not Niskanen.
So, the Washington Capitals fed off Crosby getting injured. He didn't return to the game. Washington won the game in overtime to get back in the series.
In reality how cheap is that? Ovechkin didn't even make an attempt to play the puck on Crosby.
Crosby also has a history of concussions. Also Crosby has been Ovechkin's kryptonite over the years and I guess the only way to beat him is injure him? That's 100% garbage.
If I was the NHL, I would question that players meeting and what was actually said. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a bounty. This could be bounty gate part 2.0.
The only bounty gate I remembered was when this happened with the New Orleans Saints before a playoff game in 2012.
I am sure the NHL will also take a good hard look on the hit Crosby took. If Crosby is out for the series, the NHL should suspend both Ovechkin and Niskanen for the rest of the series.
During the press conferences after the game yesterday, the Penguins and Capitals had different views on the hit, surprise surprise.
Chris Kunitz thought the hit was deliberate, which also means intentional. Head coach Mike Sullivan didn't want to respond to the issue.
As for head coach Barry Trotz, he thought it was a hockey play. Seriously? I understand he doesn't want to call his players, but Niskanen crossed the line there.
Niskanen said the hit wasn't intentional. Well, I am not buying it at all. I don't think anyone should be buying it. If they are, it is complete blasphemous.
If Crosby is out and somehow Ovechkin is playing the next game, I am starting Tom Sestitio on the first line and taking immediate runs at him. Who cares if the refs will be looking for it? It will ignite the Penguins crowd and get momentum back on their side.
If Sheary is out, I would put in Scott Wilson or Daniel Sprong into the lineup as well, for offensive firepower.
Right now, the Penguins need to get energy from Marc-Andre Fleury. Game 4 is going to be a ton of fireworks if no suspensions are handed out and if Crosby is not playing.
Even if Crosby does play tomorrow, the NHL needs to take a good look at this.
