Sidney Crosby was bloodied Thursday night after being struck in the face by a puck shot by New York Islanders defenseman Dylan Reese.
The Pittsburgh captain, playing in the ninth game of his second comeback of the season after recovering from concussion symptoms, was hit 1:43 into the second period. Reese was trying to clear the puck out of the lower left corner in the New York end when he hit Crosby, who was standing a few feet away from him.
Crosby stayed down on his stomach for about a minute before gathering himself and getting back up on his skates. He then skated off toward the tunnel leading to the dressing room. He returned to the bench with 10:13 left in the period, and was back on the ice moments later.
A pool of blood was on the ice where the 24-year-old Crosby went down. Play resumed moments later after the ice was cleaned.
Crosby's return was not enough for the suddenly slumping Penguins, who were beaten 5-3.
Crosby entered with four goals and 21 assists in 16 games this season. He missed the first 20 games, returned Nov. 21 and played eight games before leaving the lineup again. After sitting out 40 more games, Crosby got back into action March 15.
