Sidney Crosby concussion history: Game 3 hit latest in a string of head injuries

Hockey fans were treated to one hell of a Game 3 between the Penguins and Capitals on Monday.

While the finish was incredible, the tension doesn’t rise that high if Penguins captain Sidney Crosby isn’t knocked out of the game. But he was, and now we’re left wondering if the NHL superstar will be okay.

Because this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Crosby (potentially) leave for a long time after a head injury. His history with concussions and freak injuries is worth recapping this morning.

It should’ve been a banner moment for the NHL.

The Penguins hosted the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, the first Winter Classic between the two rivals. Over 68,000 fans showed up to watch. And they witnessed the beginning of Crosby’s concussion history.

Capitals forward David Steckel landed a head shot on Crosby that left him dazed.

And yet, somehow, Crosby played in Pittsburgh’s next game. In hindsight, an awful idea. It took one hit from Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman to end his season.

In September, Crosby held a press conference during training camp with his doctors that he’d be back at some point that season. He was right. For a time.

Crosby returned on Nov. 11 on fire: Crosby scored twice and tallied 12 points in seven games before the Penguins visited the Bruins in Boston on Dec. 5.

David Krejci elbowed him that night.

Crosby came back on March 12 and Pittsburgh called it a neck injury. Maybe it was; the Penguins captain racked up 25 points in the final 14 games of the season and eight points in six playoff games. The head area injury-plagued season was concerning, however.

Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik delivers a slap shot to Crosby’s face, leaving the Penguins star with a broken jaw.

Crosby doesn’t return until May 3; he puts up 15 points in 14 playoff games upon his return. But again, it’s another scary injury up high for Crosby.

Crosby gets through the World Cup of Hockey unscathed and then suffers a concussion during preseason practice.

Crosby returns on Oct. 25, racks up 89 points, wins the Art Ross Trophy, and earns a Hart Trophy nomination.

After dominating the playoffs with 11 points in eight games, Crosby gets knocked out of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semis when he falls awkwardly right into Matt Niskanen.

There’s no update yet on Crosby’s injury:

But it’s hard to remember a hockey superstar so plagued by concerning head injuries over the last few years.