Penguins captain Sidney Crosby injured when struck in face by puck, returns moments later

New York Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald (47) and New York Islanders center Frans Nielsen (51) pursue Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) in the first period of their NHL hockey game at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was injured early in the second period against the New York Islanders when he was struck in the face by the puck, but quickly returned to the game.

During a Penguins power play, Crosby skated across the right circle in the New York end—near where Islanders defenceman Brian Strait was crouched—and was clipped by the puck. Crosby's head lurched back as he fell to the ice, and then he covered up.

An official quickly motioned to the Penguins bench for assistance. Crosby was tended to briefly on the ice before being led to the tunnel heading to the dressing room 2:55 into the period.

He returned to the bench during a stoppage with 12:22 remaining and was back on the ice when play resumed.