The latest Pittsburgh Penguins injury update is not what fans wanted to hear. The club dropped some serious Sidney Crosby post-Olympic news on Wednesday.
Crosby missed the final two games of Team Canada’s Olympic tournament. Crosby sustained a lower-body injury during Canada’s quarterfinal matchup against Czechia. The Penguins’ captain took a hit from Anaheim Ducks blueliner Radko Gudas.
While Crosby hadn’t been officially ruled out, he didn’t play. Now, Wednesday’s Penguins injury update reports that Crosby will miss a minimum of four weeks, the club announced. That’s no bueno for the Pens and their playoff hopes.
Entering the resumption of the NHL season, Pittsburgh is in second place in the Metro Division. They are one point ahead of the New York Islanders and looking to secure a playoff spot. However, losing Crosby for most of the stretch run could be a devastating blow.
As such, the Penguins may need to reassess their trade deadline strategy moving forward. The club may target some depth down the middle now that Crosby will be officially on the shelf.
It will be interesting to see if a further Penguins injury update hints at a specific timeline for the captain’s return this season.
Penguins Depth Taking Serious Hit Without Crosby
Without Crosby in the lineup, the club will turn to Rickard Rakell as the top-line center. Beyond that, the club’s depth down the middle will take a serious hit without the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer.
Tommy Novak will be slated for the second line, with rookie standout Ben Kindel now on the third line. Meanwhile, Blake Lizotte should anchor what has been one of the best checking lines in the NHL this season.
However, Wednesday’s Penguins injury update will lead to a serious dent in the club’s depth at center. If the club is confident that Crosby can return ahead of schedule, the team may be able to deal with the injury.
The situation may otherwise derail the club’s playoff chances. Who knows if this Penguins injury update is enough to fling the club into seller mode? The next week or so could determine if the Pens punt on the season or look to hang tough while Crosby returns to the ice.
Penguins Injury Update Positive on Letang
A more positive Penguins injury update reported the return of defenseman Kris Letang to the lineup. The Pens lost Letang in late January due to a broken bone in his foot. The initial prognosis was that he would miss about four weeks.
Fortunately, the Olympic break coincided with that injury timeline. As such, the Penguins’ star blueliner was able to heal during the layoff. He will be in the lineup on Thursday as the Penguins resume their season against the New Jersey Devils.
At least, this Penguins injury update comes at the right time for the club. Letang will likely suit up alongside the newest team member, Samuel Girard, who arrived via a trade with the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
It’s unclear if Girard will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Devils.
Penguins Injury Update: Devastating Post-Olympic Crosby News