Senators coach Travis Green says he was surprised no penalty was called on Jakob Chychrun's hit on Nick Cousins.
The hit came Tuesday night with 2:57 left in the third period of a 2-2 game in Ottawa. Officials reviewed it for a major penalty, then decided on no call at all, and Washington won 3-2 in overtime. We covered the Chychrun hit on Cousins right after it happened.
Cousins was trying to settle a puck in his own zone with his head down when the Capitals defenseman stepped up and caught him along the boards. He stayed face down on the ice for a while and needed help from teammates to get to the dressing room. He didn't return.
Green was asked about it after the loss, and he wasn't shy.
"I'm a little surprised," Green said. "You don't usually see it where it goes from a major to no penalty, but I thought it was a headshot to a player that wasn't ready for it."
Then came the question about his forward. "He's not doing great," Green said, adding that Cousins was not taken to hospital. That matches the Green update on Cousins we posted Tuesday.
Senators players picked their words with care. Thomas Chabot said he hadn't seen Cousins yet. "I think everybody hates these scenes in hockey and any sport," he said. "Hopefully he's doing great."
Ridly Greig kept it even shorter. "I should be careful what I say," Greig said. "I don't like seeing that stuff."
Why the no-call stings for Ottawa
There's some history in the building. Chychrun spent parts of two seasons with the Senators before they traded him to Washington in July 2024, so this was a familiar face delivering the hit.
Cousins isn't a stranger to trouble himself. The NHL fined him and Matthew Tkachuk after a scrum in Ottawa last month, and he has 44 penalty minutes in 19 games this season.
None of that changes the core of Green's complaint, and the coach has a point. A review for a major that ends with nothing is going to upset any bench, especially when the player can't leave the ice on his own. If officials saw enough to look at it, a clear explanation matters.
Ottawa, 11-6-2, hosts Colorado on Thursday, while Washington visits New Jersey the same day. Whether Cousins is available for the Avalanche is the question to watch.
Quick hits
LOS ANGELES KINGS: Drew Doughty appears to have avoided injury after a scare late in the loss to Nashville, according to Andrew Knoll. Kings fans can exhale for now.
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ST-LOUIS BLUES: Jeremy Rutherford flagged a big scrum at the final horn of the 3-2 win over the Red Wings, and goalie Joel Hofer came over to get involved. Goalies joining the pile always adds spice.
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DETROIT RED WINGS: Moritz Seider's late goal wasn't enough in the 3-2 loss in St. Louis, Detroit's fourth straight defeat. That skid is getting uncomfortable.
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MONTREAL CANADIENS: Eric Engels reported that Nick Suzuki headed to the Canadiens room late in the third period against the Wild. Fans will want an update fast.
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WINNIPEG JETS: Jets fans unlocked a new Connor Hellebuyck chant at Canada Life Centre, according to Mike McIntyre. The franchise goalie has earned his own soundtrack.
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This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Should Jakob Chychrun have been given a major for his hit on Nick Cousins?
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Jakob Chychrun's big hit on Nick Cousins sparks ugly scene in Ottawa
