Penguins captain Crosby sidelined for four weeks after Olympics injury

Key Takeaways

  • The Sidney Crosby injury will sideline him for about four weeks after occurring during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • Crosby suffered a lower body injury against Czechia, involving awkward contact with defenseman Radko Gudas.
  • Before the injury, Crosby had 27 goals and 32 assists, playing every Penguins game this season.
  • Crosby’s absence impacts the Penguins’ playoff positioning as they aim for lineup stability in the final regular season stretch.
  • Other NHL players also faced injuries during the Olympics, adding to the list of sidelined athletes.

The Sidney Crosby injury will sideline the Pittsburgh Penguins captain for about four weeks. The team announced the update on February 25, 2026. Crosby was placed on injured reserve. The injury occurred during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Crosby is 38 years old. He serves as captain of the Penguins. He was representing Canada at the Olympics when the injury happened.

Details Surrounding the Sidney Crosby Injury

The Sidney Crosby injury occurred in a quarterfinal game against Czechia. His right leg bent awkwardly after contact. He was hit by Czech defenseman Radko Gudas. He was then forced into the boards. Crosby left the game and did not return.

Medical evaluation followed the incident. He missed the remainder of the Olympic tournament. Canada later lost to the United States in the gold medal game.

The Penguins classified the injury as lower body. The four-week timeline is considered a minimum recovery estimate.

Impact of the Sidney Crosby Injury on the Penguins

Before the Sidney Crosby injury, he had played in every Penguins game this season. He recorded 27 goals and 32 assists. He remained a central part of the team’s offense.

Pittsburgh currently sits second in the Metropolitan Division. The team is competing for playoff positioning. Crosby’s absence affects lineup stability during the final stretch of the regular season.

If recovery progresses as projected, Crosby could return for approximately the last 10 games of the regular season.

Additional Olympic Injury Notes Linked to the Sidney Crosby Injury Report

Other NHL players were injured during Olympic competition. Kevin Fiala of the Los Angeles Kings is out for the season following leg surgery. Mikko Rantanen of the Dallas Stars is expected to miss at least two weeks.

The Sidney Crosby injury adds to the list of NHL players sidelined following Olympic participation.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/penguins-captain-crosby-sidelined-four-weeks-after-olympics-injury-2026-02-25/