Late in the second period during the Rangers’ comeback win in Game 5 over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jacob Trouba delivered a hit up high to Sidney Crosby that knocked him out for the remainder of the game.
The hit occurred in the middle of the ice, with Crosby ducking down just before and the initial point of contact appearing to be Crosby’s shoulder.
There was no penalty assessed on the play and the Rangers soon reeled off three quick goals to take a 3-2 lead. New York won the game, 5-3, to force Game 6 in Pittsburgh on Friday night.
After the game, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan suggested that he felt Trouba was intentionally attempting to injure Crosby, who has an upper-body injury and will be reevaluated after the Pens return to Pittsburgh.
Asked on Thursday morning whether there should be supplemental discipline for the hit, Sullivan deferred to the league. And later on Thursday morning, Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that the Rangers have been told there will be no fine or disciplinary hearing for the hit.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trouba discussed the play.
“Kind of tried going stick on puck when he was gonna shoot,” Trouba said. “My stick kind of went in between his legs and knd of hit his thigh, kind of pushed my arm up. Kind of a fluky play, wasn’t massively hard contact. Unfortunately, you don’t ever want to see a guy get hurt. I don’t know exactly what the injury is, but hopefully he’s better soon.”
As far as what the analysts think?
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff observed four things about the play:
Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa weighed in on Sportsnet:
“I think when you’re throwing a head shot, if you’re throwing it with your stick hand it’s impossible. It would be with the other hand for Trouba. He’s going stick on puck like you showed, and then it’s just a bit of a bring his arm in as Crosby is turning. I think there’s no suspension.”