Senators' Cousins out at least a week after Chychrun hit deemed not a penalty
The Ottawa forward was briefly knocked out and will miss at least a week after a controversial hit from his former teammate.
OTTAWA · Ottawa Senators forward Nick Cousins will miss at least one week after being injured by a hit from Washington Capitals defenceman Jakob Chychrun on Tuesday night. Cousins was briefly knocked out by the play, head coach Travis Green told reporters Wednesday. The on-ice officials reviewed the thunderous hit and determined it was not a penalty, a decision Green said surprised him. The Capitals went on to win the game 3-2 in overtime.
The incident occurred with three minutes left in regulation. As Cousins looked to clear the puck from the defensive zone, Chychrun caught him with his head down and lowered his left shoulder into Cousins's chest. Cousins's head hit the glass and then the ice. He stayed face-down on the ice before being helped to his feet by teammates and assisted off the ice, and he did not return to the game.
Referees Brandon Blandina and Beau Halkidis initially called a five-minute major penalty on the play, which allowed them to review video replays of the hit. The officials reviewed the hit for a five-minute major, but determined there was no penalty. After review, they deemed the contact did not include head contact and rescinded the penalty entirely. Senators players expressed their concern over the incident. "I should be careful what I say; I don't like seeing that stuff," forward Ridly Greig said. Captain Thomas Chabot added, "I hate, I think everybody hates, these scenes in hockey, in any sport."
The NHL's Department of Player Safety monitors all situations like this for potential supplemental discipline. This includes plays that are cataloged even if they are not penalized or deemed worthy of a fine or a suspension. Chychrun played one full season and part of another with the Senators, from 2023-24, before being traded to Washington. Cousins, 33, has two goals and one assist in 19 games this season. The Senators are back in action Thursday at home against the Colorado Avalanche.
With files from Yahoo Sports, Sportsnet and The Globe and Mail