Newark, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Christian Ehrhoff will not be in action on Friday against the New Jersey Devils as he is undergoing tests for a possible concussion.
Ehrhoff absorbed a clean, but hard hit by Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin in the late stages of Washington's 4-0 victory on Wednesday and crumpled to the ice, touching off one of the multiple scrums between the clubs.
"He hit his head on the ice, so in reviewing that, what happens is the standard protocol and our doctors look at the hit," Pens head coach Mike Johnston explained. "Once they see there's any head contact with the glass, any head contact with the ice, then they go through the typical protocol.
"With him landing on the ice the way he did, they just thought he's going to be out for tonight's game, so let's get him back to Pittsburgh where he can be evaluated instead of dragging him on the road trip."
The 32-year-old German blueliner has totaled three goals and 10 assists in 43 games during his first season with Pittsburgh.
Scott Harrington, who has yet to record a point in nine games this season, has been tabbed to replace Ehrhoff.
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