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Greg WyshynskiFeb 7, 2025, 11:49 AM ET
- Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby will not play against the New York Rangers on Friday night due to an upper-body injury, according to coach Mike Sullivan.
On Tuesday night, Crosby collided with Luke Hughes and Erik Haula of the New Jersey Devils. He missed several shifts but returned for the final minutes of regulation and overtime. He also had an attempt in their shootout loss.
Crosby skated on his own on Thursday and took part in an optional Penguins practice at Madison Square Garden on Friday morning. Sullivan called that “encouraging,” but cautioned the Penguins were “taking it one day at a time” with their 37-year-old captain.
This is the first game Crosby will miss in the 2024-25 season. He leads the Penguins with 58 points (17 goals and 41 assists) in 55 games. He played in all 82 games in the previous two seasons.
Pittsburgh faces the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday before entering a 13-day break for the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Crosby was one of the first players named to the Team Canada roster for that tournament.
The Penguins are eight points out of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Tonight, they’re also expected to be without star center Evgeni Malkin, who is on injured reserve and considered “week to week.”
Sullivan said the Penguins are in a “next-man-up mindset” with Crosby and Malkin out.
“Guys are always looking for more ice time, want to play a more significant role. Here’s your opportunity. That’s the world we live in. That’s the NHL,” he said. “When injuries occur, it provides opportunities for others. I think players need to look at it like that.”
