Cousins Hurt After Chychrun Hit in Capitals-Senators Game

With about three minutes left in regulation and the score tied 2-2, Cousins carried the puck along the boards as Chychrun approached and delivered a shoulder-first hit. Cousins crashed into the boards and fell to the ice. Play stopped as teammates and Ottawa’s training staff attended to him; brief scuffles broke out nearby.

Cousins left the game, and Senators coach Travis Green said he was “not doing great.” Cousins did not go to a hospital.

Officials initially assessed Chychrun a five-minute major penalty, but reversed the call after a review. Green said he was surprised the decision changed from a major to no penalty, and said he believed the hit caught an unprepared player in the head. Chychrun had previously played 94 games for Ottawa over two seasons.

Senators forward Ridly Greig said he did not like seeing the hit, while teammate Thomas Chabot said such scenes were difficult to watch. Ottawa forward Hayden Hodgson described Cousins as a vital teammate and said his injury affected the team.

Washington scored 1:14 into overtime to win 3-2 and improve to 10-6. Ottawa fell to 11-6-2.