Penguins' Sidney Crosby hit in head vs. Capitals, leaves game

— -- PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby left Game 3 of his team's 3-2 overtime loss to? Washington?early, after he took a first-period cross-check to the head from Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen.

Crosby lay on the ice for several moments before slowly getting up and skating off the ice, mostly on his own power. He went directly down the tunnel for treatment. His leg also bent awkwardly during the collision.

Crosby did not return for the start of the second period.?

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan did not have an update on Crosby's condition after the game. He added that Crosby and Conor Sheary, who was also injured in the game, will be evaluated overnight and the team will have an update on Tuesday.

Sullivan would not give his opinion on Niskanen's hit. But the Penguins' Chris Kunitz was not as reluctant to talk about it.

"I like Nisky as a person," Kunitz said. "I don't think it's a very nice hit. I don't think it's something this game is looking for, especially against someone who means so much to our team."

"We saw him laying there and obviously it was tough to see," said teammate? Justin Schultz. "He's our best player, best player in the world, and we hope he's all right."

The hit from Niskanen came as Crosby was already going down after getting clipped by Alex Ovechkin while driving in on Capitals goalie Braden Holtby.

Niskanen received a major and game misconduct penalty for the hit.

Niskanen said after the game that he wasn't trying to hit Crosby in the head, explaining that Crosby was moving "lower and lower" as the two came together in front of the Capitals net.

"I hope he's OK. I certainly didn't mean to injure him," Niskanen said. "It was an unfortunate play."

Crosby has a concussion history and missed the first six games of this season because of a concussion.