Nick Cousins' latest move after Jakob Chychrun hit is turning heads

Nick Cousins left the Ottawa Senators' 3-2 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night after a crushing hit from Jakob Chychrun, and the veteran forward is not doing great, according to coach Travis Green.

Cousins, 33, had the puck along the side boards in his own zone when Chychrun, a former Senator, pinched down from the blue line and delivered a hard shoulder check with just under three minutes left in regulation.

Cousins stayed down while teammates and trainers tended to him before he was helped to the dressing room. He was not taken to hospital.

Chychrun was first given a major penalty, but officials rescinded it after reviewing the play, so Washington never had to kill anything off.

Green said he was surprised to see a major become no penalty at all and felt it was a headshot on a player who was not ready for it.

The defence of Chychrun is straightforward: he led with the shoulder and caught Cousins through the chest, the way a clean hit is supposed to look.

That gap between the two views is why this play is generating so much debate.

Cousins reportedly unfollowed Chychrun on social media after the game, a small gesture that hints at his feelings but says nothing about his health.

The loss dropped Ottawa to 11-6-2, and Washington rookie Cole

Hutson settled it in overtime. Cousins has two goals and an assist in 19 games this season and played 12:12 across 19 shifts before leaving.

No official update on his availability has been given, so the first real clue will come when Ottawa takes the ice Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche.

If Cousins is out, the Senators lose a forward who has dressed for every game this season.

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