There are key differences between playoff hockey and regular season hockey, a few of which being intensity, emotion and physical play.
All three of those things go hand-in-hand, and although we don't see many fights in the playoffs anymore, we do see the rough stuff and hitting quite a bit.
Game 3 of the Capitals and Penguins series featured a big hit, but it wasn't one of the clean variety as Matt Niskanen hit Sidney Crosby in the head with a cross-check.
Before getting hit by Niskanen, though, Crosby took an ugly fall that looked just as bad as the hit.
As soon as the injury occurred, whatever energy was in the building vanished and the hockey world's attention turned to Crosby's health. Sid was taken to the locker room and didn't return for the first period.
Many hockey fans took to twitter to share their best with the Penguins' captain and share their opinion on the hit from Niskanen.
Regardless of whether you like or dislike Crosby, at this point everyone should just hope he isn't seriously hurt because hockey is much better with him on the ice.
Speaking of ice, Sid wasn't out on the ice to start the second and the Penguins won't give an update on his health until after Game 3, so chances are he won't be returning.
