Jacob Trouba’s dangerous hit up high on Sidney Crosby that took him out of Game 5 angered NHL fans

During their first-round series, the Penguins have mostly had their way with the young Rangers.

After the two squads left New York, the Penguins molly whopped their Metro rivals 14-6 in Games 3 and 4, en route to a three games to one series lead. Pittsburgh did it largely thanks to the power of the one and only Sidney Crosby (nine points). What else is new?

With the Rangers (-135 favorites coming in) fighting for their season in Game 5 on Wednesday night, Crosby and the Pens were looking to put a bow on this series. Alas, they didn’t get their wish, as the Rangers ended up winning 5-3 to keep their season alive.

But it’s not the Rangers’ win everyone’s talking about. It’s New York d-man Jacob Trouba knocking out Sidney Crosby with an elbow while the two fought for the puck with about seven minutes left in the second period.

Whoa. Come on, man. I know hockey’s a physical game, but that doesn’t mean it calls for chicken wings to the head out of the blue. Use your stick, your feet, literally anything else!

Crosby, of course, would not return. And the Penguins themselves have not yet offered a concrete update on his status. All we have are observant anecdotes:

Considering Crosby’s extended history with head injuries, NHL fans did not take kindly to Trouba’s hit.

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