The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that centre and captain Sidney Crosby is sidelined for a minimum six weeks after having sports hernia surgery. He will be evaluated after the initial recovery period.
INJURY UPDATE: Sidney Crosby underwent a successful core muscle injury repair. The expected recovery time is a minimum of six weeks.
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— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 14, 2019
Sidney Crosby Has Surgery
Crosby left Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss with the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period. It’s not certain when the injury happened, but he fell awkwardly after getting tangled up with Chicago defenceman Erik Gustafsson before blocking a shot with his foot. in the samThe Penguins’ captain limped to the bench and did not return.
Pittsburgh’s star player leads the team in scoring with 12 assists and 17 points in 17 games for the Penguins this season despite dealing with a sports hernia since training camp. His possession numbers are 57.9 Corsi for and 5.8 relative Corsi.
The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native has only played for the Penguins over his 15-year NHL career. He has 451 goals and 782 assists for 1,233 points in 960 career games. Pittsburgh drafted him first overall in the 2005 NHL Draft.
It’s uncertain who the Penguins may bring up from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to fill the roster spot. Evgeni Malkin will move up to the top line to take over for Crosby while he’s gone.
What This Means for the Future
The surgery is a gamble as the Penguins are in fourth in the Metropolitan Division and in one of the wild card spots. Pittsburgh has to play at least .500 hockey to stay with the pack and weather the storm without the captain.
However, Malkin has stepped up in the past while Crosby has been out. The Russian centre averages 1.7 points per game when Crosby is out of the lineup.
General manager Jim Rutherford may be tempted to make a move to help shore up scoring while Crosby is out. Injuries have hit the team hard and the loss of Crosby could really hamper Pittsburgh’s chase for a Stanley Cup.
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 27: Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) looks on during the third period in the NHL preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres on September 27, 2017, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-4. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
