This is something straight out of WWE.
Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby scored a controversial takedown against the Washington Capitals on Sunday evening. Crosby received no penalty on the play.
The Capitals and Penguins were facing off for the first time in the 2021-22 NHL season. Things got out of hand in the third period when the Capitals took a 5-1 lead on the Penguins.
Crosby was playing in his first game since coming off the NHL’s COVID list. The Canadian superstar became frustrated as his team fell behind badly in Washington. The frustration came to a boil in the third period.
Crosby took down Capitals’ defenseman Martin Fehervary with a wrestling move behind the net. Surprisingly, there was no penalty call on the play. Crosby did, however, earn a two-minute minor for cross-checking shortly afterwards.
Video:
Crosby taking out some frustration in his return to the lineup. Pens down 5-1 to Caps pic.twitter.com/zHD40mg7OW
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 15, 2021
Reporters asked Fehervary after the game about Crosby’s play. “I don’t care; we’ll see next game,” Fehervary said. The Capitals and Penguins next faceoff on December 10th at Capital One Arena.
This isn’t the first time Crosby has scored a controversial takedown. Just last season against the Philadelphia Flyers, Crosby took down Travis Konecny with a wrestling move before driving his face into the ice.
Konecny had Crosby in a headlock, though, so there was at least some justification for the takedown. Crosby’s actions Sunday didn’t appear to have any merit to them other than pure frustration.
Crosby escaped without a penalty for his wrestling move, which decreases the likelihood he’ll receive a call from the NHL. Crosby has never been suspended in his NHL career.
Washington fans are upset because Tom Wilson received a seven-game suspension last season for ragdolling New York Rangers’ forward Artemi Panarin to the ice. The Rangers called Wilson’s takedown a “horrific act of violence” in a statement.
It’s been tough times for the Penguins, who have been battling through COVID. Crosby’s return didn’t help Pittsburgh, as they lost to Washington 6-1. The Pens have now lost four of their past five games. They sit near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division standings with 14 points in 14 games.
Frustration is understandable in a blowout loss, but Crosby’s actions Sunday were dangerous. While the superstar likely won’t be suspended for the play, he may still receive a call from the NHL.
Update: Sidney Crosby will receive no supplemental discipline for this play.
