PITTSBURGH — The Penguins-Capitals series might hinge on whether Marcus Johansson is concussed.
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Johansson left Monday's Game 3 after Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang appeared to hit him in the head with a late shoulder.
Letang gets only 2 mins for interference for this hit on Johnasson pic.twitter.com/gK8wppEsU0
— Stephanie (@myregularface) May 3, 2016
It's the second particularly bad hit of the series; Brooks Orpik injured Olli Maatta in Game 2. It should also be the second suspendable hit; it's tough to watch it and not see how, if Orpik deserved three, Letang doesn't deserve the same. He also seemed to launch himself into Johansson.
LEDRA: Orpik's suspension a step in the right direction
The difference right now is that Johansson's condition isn't known. Maatta left Game 2, didn't return and was declared "obviously out" by Penguins coach Mike Sullivan after the game, a 2-1 Pittsburgh win.
Letang is, by far, the most important defenseman on either team, and possibly the most important Penguin overall. They're a different team without him, and any sort of suspension is a major win for Washington.
The NHL considers the outcome of hits when deciding its punishment. Ironically, Capitals coach Barry Trotz, while attempting to defend Orpik, argued against the practice earlier on Monday. He'll probably feel better about it Tuesday.