Another huge issue emerges from devastating hit on Nick Cousins in Ottawa!

The Ottawa Senators are still reeling from Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals, but the result on the scoreboard has become secondary to a much bigger conversation surrounding the team's identity and toughness.

You’ve probably seen by now how forward Nick Cousins was knocked unconscious by a hit from Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun during the third period. Head coach Travis Green confirmed Wednesday that the 33-year-old will miss seven to 10 days. Green noted that Cousins was briefly unconscious after the collision but is doing "as well as can be expected."

The hit itself came when Cousins collected the puck along the boards in the defensive zone. Chychrun pinched down from the blue line and delivered a hard shoulder check that left the veteran forward motionless on the ice. Teammates and training staff rushed over before Cousins was helped off and taken back to the dressing room, but nothing else was done to send a message to the Caps for what they did to Cousins…

A heated debate has erupted over the Senators' failure to respond physically to the hit on their teammate. On the Coming In Hot podcast, Brent Wallace was emphatic in his criticism. "There's NEVER a response on this team!" Wallace said, visibly fired up over Ottawa's inaction following the Chychrun hit.

Former NHL defenseman Jason York pushed back, arguing that it was the wrong moment to drop the gloves given the game situation and time remaining on the clock. The disagreement captured a divide that has spilled into the fanbase, with some supporters calling the lack of response "a disgrace for the organization" and others acknowledging that chasing points in a tight game had to take priority.

Captain Thomas Chabot acknowledged the emotional toll. "I think everybody hates these scenes in hockey and any sport," Chabot said. "Obviously, you're aware it's part of the game, but it's a lot more than the game of hockey, and it sucks seeing him like that."

In a notable footnote, Cousins reportedly unfollowed his former Arizona Coyotes teammate Chychrun on Instagram shortly after the game. The two played together for two seasons from 2017 to 2019. This got people talking as well…

The Senators remain focused on the season, but questions about the team's willingness to stand up for its own are unlikely to fade anytime soon.