PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins face a significant challenge in their quest for the playoffs as they’ll be without their star player Sidney Crosby.
On Wednesday, the team announced they’ve added their veteran captain to the injured reserve list. Crosby suffered a lower-body injury while competing for Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games.
The veteran forward was injured during the second period of Canada’s quarterfinal victory against Czechia. While Canadian officials initially hoped their captain could return to action, Crosby remained sidelined for both the semifinal victory over Sweden and the championship game defeat to the United States.
While Crosby must sit out a minimum of one week, team officials expect his absence will likely extend well beyond that timeframe.
The timing couldn’t be more challenging for Pittsburgh, as the team currently sits in second place within the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins are working toward their first playoff appearance since the 2022 season.
This season, Crosby has delivered his trademark excellence on the ice. He tops Pittsburgh’s roster with 27 goals, 32 assists, and 59 total points, maintaining his remarkable streak of averaging at least one point per game — a record that now spans 21 consecutive seasons.
The injury creates additional pressure as Pittsburgh faces a demanding schedule following the Olympic break. The team returns to action Thursday night at home against New Jersey, beginning a grueling stretch of 13 games over just 24 days.
