Capitals' Niskanen ejected for cross-checking Crosby in the head

Sidney Crosby was forced to leave Game 3 against the Washington Capitals after taking a hard cross-check from Matt Niskanen.

The Capitals defenseman was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit.

Crosby was helped off less than six minutes in. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan didn't have a definitive update postgame, saying Crosby would be evaluated overnight.

He has a well-documented history of head injuries, missing time earlier this season with a concussion and suffering one in the Winter Classic back in 2011 that forced him to miss the second half of that season and much of the next.

The more concerning aspect of this injury might have been the way Crosby fell, though.

He was knocked slightly off balance by Alex Ovechkin moments before Niskanen hit him.

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed on the NBCSN broadcast that Crosby was hit in the head.

The Pittsburgh captain was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy earlier Monday.