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Sidney Crosby injury update shakes Pittsburgh Penguins playoff push
Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Sidney Crosby is heading to Injured Reserve with a lower body injury, and the Pittsburgh Penguins just lost their heartbeat for at least four weeks.
The team confirmed Tuesday that Crosby will miss a minimum of four weeks, a brutal blow as the Penguins try to stay alive in the Eastern Conference race.
Crosby has 27-32-59 in 56 games this season, driving the top line and first man advantage unit. He leads the room in ice time among forwards and still sets the pace every shift.
This is not just about points.
The Penguins also activated Kris Letang from Injured Reserve, giving the blue line its backbone back at the same time.
Here is the official announcement from the team:
And the confirmation on Crosby's timeline:
Sidney Crosby absence tests Pittsburgh Penguins depth
Fans feel the air come out of the building because Crosby is still the engine, and without him the margin for error disappears.
Pittsburgh now has to reshuffle the top six and rethink its power play entries. Evgeni Malkin likely slides into the first unit center role.
Letang's return matters here.
He logs over 23 minutes per night and quarterbacks the top power play, which could soften the blow if the man advantage heats up.
The Penguins are 29-15-12 and want a playoff spot, so every point over the next month carries weight.
There is no cap relief magic here either, since Injured Reserve does not erase Crosby's cap hit. This is about internal answers and short term survival.
The next stretch will define this season.
If Pittsburgh can tread water until Crosby returns in late March, they give themselves a puncher's chance. If not, this injury could quietly close the window on 2025-26.
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