Penguins' Sidney Crosby put on IR, to miss at least 4 weeks - ESPN

ESPN

by Ryan Clark

February 25, 2026

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Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been placed on injured reserve and will miss at least four weeks following a lower-body injury sustained during the Olympic Games. The 38-year-old star was hurt in Canada's quarterfinal win against Czechia when he awkwardly bent his right leg after attempting to brace for a hit from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. Crosby did not return to the game and also sat out Canada's semifinal match against Finland, despite hoping to potentially play in the gold medal game against Team USA. Despite his absence, Canada lost to the United States in an overtime thriller, marking their first Olympic gold medal win since 1980. Crosby's injury occurred during a pivotal moment for both his national team and his club. As the Penguins returned from the Olympic break, they announced his placement on injured reserve, which will significantly impact their pursuit of a playoff spot. The team entered Wednesday with the second-best record in the Metropolitan Division but faces challenges without their top-line center. Crosby leads the Penguins in multiple offensive categories, including goals (27) and points (59), while center Evgeni Malkin trails by 14 points despite missing 15 games this season. Crosby's absence is not just a blow to the Penguins but also highlights the broader implications of his role as one of the NHL's most influential players. His leadership on and off the ice has made him a cornerstone for both Team Canada and the

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/25/2026