Sidney Crosby Day-to-Day with Lower-Body Injury, Impacting Penguins' Playoff Push

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, which he sustained during the second period of a 4-3 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. The 38-year-old center did not play in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, and his absence could significantly impact the team's playoff chances. With Crosby and fellow injured player Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins are facing a challenging road to the postseason, having missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the past three seasons.

How Injuries are Affecting the Penguins' Playoff Push

The Penguins are currently third in the Metropolitan Division, just one point behind the New York Islanders. However, the team's injury woes, including Crosby's lower-body injury and Malkin's upper-body injury, may hinder their ability to secure a playoff spot. Crosby has been instrumental in the team's success, leading the Penguins with 64 points (28 goals, 36 assists) in 61 games this season. His return to the lineup will be crucial in determining the team's playoff fate.

Crosby's Recent Injury History

This is not the first time Crosby has dealt with injuries this season. He missed 11 games recently after sustaining a lower-body injury during the second period of Team Canada's 4-3 overtime win against Team Czechia in the quarterfinals at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 18. He did not play in the semifinals and the gold medal game on February 22. Crosby returned to the lineup on March 18 and had five points (one goal, four assists) in five games before being injured again on Thursday.

The Impact of Crosby and Malkin's Injuries on the Team

Penguins coach Dan Muse emphasized the importance of other players stepping up in the absence of Crosby and Malkin. 'It's what happens anytime somebody comes out,' Muse said. 'Guys have to step up, they have to elevate. Guys have to take on different responsibilities, different minutes, you know, from maybe what they've had in the past. It's the same thing, it's the same thing we've been doing. Obviously, with Sid and with Geno, not one person is going to go in there and suddenly replace them. All these things have to be done by committee, and that's what we've been doing when guys have been out all year.'

'That's why we play,' Crosby said on February 25. 'Obviously, the Olympics was a great opportunity and experience, but I think you shift your focus to playing in the playoffs. It's so special and so fun to be in those big games, and to play for that. So, that's where my mind's at.'

Crosby's Career Achievements and Legacy

Crosby is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NHL history. He is eighth all-time in points (1,751) and assists (1,098), and 15th in goals (653). His 201 points (71 goals, 130 assists) in the playoffs are the sixth-most in NHL history. Crosby has won numerous awards, including the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP twice (2006-07, 2013-14), the Ted Lindsay Award as MVP as voted by the NHL Players' Association three times (2006-07, 2012-13, 2013-14), and the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's scoring leader twice (2006-07, 2013-14).

Key Takeaways

• Sidney Crosby is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, which he sustained during Thursday's game against the Ottawa Senators.
• Evgeni Malkin is also day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and the Penguins are facing a challenging road to the postseason.
• The Penguins are currently third in the Metropolitan Division, just one point behind the New York Islanders.

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