Niskanen insists cross-check to Crosby's head wasn't intentional

Matt Niskanen says he didn't mean to catch Sidney Crosby the way he did.

"Absolutely not. It wasn’t intentional," the Washington Capitals defenseman told reporters postgame Monday, via Sportsnet. "I’ve seen the replay. In super slo-mo, it looks really bad. I caught him high."

Niskanen was tossed early in Game 3 of the Capitals' second-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins for cross-checking Crosby after the Penguins star was knocked off balance by Alex Ovechkin.

"He's coming across trying to score, (and) as he's doing that he's lower and lower, and when it's happening that fast, my stick and his head collided," Niskanen said.

"I wasn't extending (or) trying to hit him in the head. It happened quickly. I wasn't even trying to cross-check him with a serious amount of force."

The Washington blueliner expressed concern over Crosby's condition.

"I hope he's okay," Niskanen said. "I certainly didn't mean to injure him. It's an unfortunate play that happened really quick."