Phil Kessel, Jay Beagle exchange snaps in ‘nasty’ playoff series

Alexander Ovechkin comments about the play that injured on-ice rival Sidney Crosby, saying it's just hockey, it's sad and I hope he returns this series.

Players’ tensions and referees’ attentions will be running high in Pittsburgh Wednesday night for Game 4 of the increasingly bitter series between the Penguins and Capitals.

Sidney Crosby will be sidelined with the concussion he suffered from a Matt Niskanen cross-check during Washington’s overtime win Monday.

“It’s hard to see him get hurt. He’s a player you don’t want to see that happen [to],” said Alex Ovechkin, who slashed Crosby on the same play (watch at top of story). “I hope he’s going to be fine and back in the series.”

Niskanen served a major penalty and a game misconduct for the sticking infraction but was not called for a player-safety hearing by the league. Capitals coach Barry Trotz described it as “a hockey play.”

“Whenever you get cross-checked in the face, you’re not feeling good for a while,” teammate Phil Kessel told reporters after Wednesday’s morning skate.

Kessel was next asked his thoughts on Jay Beagle‘s comments on the series as a whole.

“It should be nasty,” the Washington checking forward had said Tuesday. “It’s the playoffs. That’s the way we like to play. That’s the way they like to play. You know, hard hits, going after each other. These are two teams that don’t like each other.”

The Crosby incident on his mind, Kessel responded: “Yeah, well, I mean, if he thinks that’s clean, then he’s an idiot.” Watch:

Kessel said that attention to skill players heightens in the post-season.

“It’s a different game, right?” Kessel said. “Obviously, it’s rougher. It’s a closer-checking game, but there’s a clean way to do it and not.”

In a cross-wired, media-relayed exchange, Beagle actually agreed with Kessel that the Niskanen hit was not “obviously not” clean, but said it wasn’t intentional either.

Beagle also feigned sadness at the Penguins star’s “idiot” remark. Watch:

“Ouch. That hurts. That’s not very nice,” Beagle told reporters. “I’m hurt deeply. If he wants to settle it, we could always play some MarioKart. He knows where to find me. We’ll take it there.”

Niskanen said he would probably reach out to Crosby once the boiling-over period settles.

The defenceman was asked if he believes the Penguins will seek retribution in Game 4.

“Possibly,” he said. “It’s a hockey game. Hockey players are emotional guys.”

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