Good editorial. But too kind. I played hockey all my life and know full well that the coach told his players to pummel Crosby, to take him out of the play - he didn't have to be too specific - and that's exactly what they did. Washington is absolutely desperate to win a cup. 
Ovechkin's slash - Ovechkin is a kit and run artist - was purposeful as was Nishkanen's cross check. You can see his arms go forward just before the hit. It's quick and deadly. Players at that level know how to absorb a collision. Nishkanen chose not to. 
As one doctor noted in a documentary on concussions, the brain never heals, it just adjusts. but sooner or later all concussed players pay the price. Crosby should quit the game. It's not worth it. 
I would not want my son to play hockey. It's a beautiful game when played by the rules. But the National Goon League has dumped it in the gutter. Seems money always destroys the good.