We reached the halfway mark of the Penguins-Capitals second-round series without Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin feeding the narrative of a bitter rivalry. But in the third period of Game 4, we may finally have the antecedent for discord.
After taking a slash across the hand from Ovechkin, Crosby headed down the tunnel in considerable pain, smashing his stick on the wall on his way to the room.
He returned after a few shifts, but continued to have his left hand and wrist looked at by the medical team on the bench.
Sidney Crosby clearly upset after taking a slash to the wrist from Alexander Ovechkin. pic.twitter.com/QqQ7pv93io
— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) May 5, 2016
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Corey Perry seemed like an obvious choice among Anaheim Ducks when the Canadian brain-trust released its initial roster for this summer's World Cup of Hockey.
He boasted team highs with 26 goals and 41 primary points at the time, and, unlike Ryan Getzlaf, wasn't competing with Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Patrice Bergeron for one of the center-ice positions on the roster.
But when it was the Ducks' captain named to the team, not Perry, and after the club was eliminated in the first round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the talented scoring winger is now in Russia, continuing his World Cup campaign at the World Championship.
"Oh definitely it's in the back of your mind," Perry told TSN's Ryan Rishaug when asked about the World Cup factoring in his decision to come overseas. "You want to prove yourself any chance that you get. That's another stepping stone and everybody in that dressing room is probably doing the same thing.
"You gotta go out, do the right things, and prove yourself all over again."
He added: "When your country calls, you don't turn down these opportunities too often. You want to play for your country."
Taylor Hall, Matt Duchene, Brad Marchand, Ryan O'Reilly, and Brendan Gallagher are also in Russia, and thought to be in consideration. It's a scenario that's ostensibly contributed to Canada bringing over an immensely talented roster.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Nothing like Gerrit Cole booing the #Caps #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/KFx4qZxi6j
— Amanda Jupena (@AmandaJupena) May 5, 2016
Gerrit Cole isn't just the Pittsburgh Pirates' de facto ace. He's also a beer-drinking Penguins fan.
The 25-year-old starting pitcher donned a Sidney Crosby jersey, booed the Washington Capitals, and took a large sip of beer before Game 4 of the second-round playoff series at Consol Energy Center on Wednesday night.
The Pirates lost 6-2 to the Chicago Cubs across town at PNC Park earlier in the day. Pittsburgh has a day off Thursday before beginning a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Friday.
Cole is from Newport Beach, Calif., but clearly he's embraced the Steel City.
- With h/t to The Sporting News
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
The principal point of contact remains, but no one's getting suspended for this collision.
At a high rate of speed, and with a bump from trailing defender Dmitry Orlov, on-rushing Pittsburgh Penguins forward Carl Hagelin toppled over Braden Holtby as he crashed into the Washington Capitals crease, spiking head-first into the ice.
Hagelin picked himself up off the ice unscathed.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Streamable - simple video sharing
Check out this video on Streamable using your phone, tablet or desktop.
Jay Beagle isn't Alex Ovechkin, but he can pick the corner, too.
The Washington Capitals forward surprised Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray early in Game 4 on Wednesday night, putting a backhand chip shot top shelf over the netminder to open the scoring.
Sidney Crosby tied the contest about six minutes later with his fourth goal of the playoffs.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Alex Ovechkin doesn't have to win a championship to add something entirely new to his trophy case this summer.
The Washington Capitals sniper was named one of three finalists for the Mark Messier Leadership award, joining John Tavares of the New York islanders and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators.
The recognition, which has been awarded nine times previously, is reserved for the player who denotes superior leadership within their sport through on-ice performance, motivation of team members, and dedication to community activities.
Jonathan Toews was selected by Messier for the honor last season.
Neither Tavares, Weber, or Ovechkin, whose leadership has been a contentious topic in the past, have won the award previously.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.