Feb 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck against the New Jersey Devils in the shootout at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Sidney Crosby to Miss First Game of the Season Due to Injury

Penguins’ Captain Sidelined with Upper-Body Injury Ahead of Crucial Matchup Against Rangers

Sidney Crosby will miss his first game of the season when the Pittsburgh Penguins face the New York Rangers on Friday (7 p.m. ET). Crosby is sidelined with an upper-body injury that he’s been dealing with since a collision during Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

“I just got tangled up,” Crosby mentioned after that game.

Crosby, who hasn’t missed a game since April 2022, was on the ice for the team’s morning skate but didn’t join the full practice on Thursday. Instead, he worked out alone on a separate rink. The injury appeared to occur when Crosby collided with Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and forward Erik Haula in the third period of the Penguins’ shootout loss. He briefly left the game but returned and even participated in the shootout.

“Right now, we are just taking it one day at a time, He’s not going to play tonight. Obviously he’s on the ice participating in the morning skate which is encouraging from our standpoint.” :Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Friday.

Sidney Crosby is on the ice for the morning skate…Mike Sullivan said he will not play tonight. ⁦@SNPittsburgh⁩ pic.twitter.com/X7diSBb72H
— Dan Potash (@DanPotashTV) February 7, 2025

With Crosby out, Rickard Rakell will shift from left wing to center on the top line. Rakell has been a key contributor for the Penguins this season, sitting second on the team with 46 points and leading in goals with 24. Crosby, meanwhile, continues to lead Pittsburgh in scoring with 58 points (17 goals, 41 assists) in 55 games.

Also Read: Pittsburgh Penguins Recall Emil Bemstrom to Bolster Roster

This comes at a tough time for the Penguins, who are also missing Evgeni Malkin, their second-line center, due to a lower-body injury. Pittsburgh currently sits eight points out of a playoff spot, facing an uphill battle to end a two-year postseason drought.

Crosby’s absence will undoubtedly be felt. The 37-year-old center, now in his 20th NHL season, has been the heart of the Penguins since being drafted first overall in 2005. He’s won three Stanley Cups with the team and numerous individual accolades, including two Hart Trophies (MVP) and two Art Ross Trophies (scoring leader). Crosby has also been a consistent force, averaging at least a point per game in every season of his career—a feat matched only by Wayne Gretzky.

In addition to his NHL achievements, Crosby has had an illustrious international career. He’s won gold medals with Team Canada at the Olympics, World Championships, and World Cup of Hockey, serving as captain in many of those victories. Crosby is also set to captain Canada again at the 4 Nations Face-Off next week.

For now, the Penguins will need to rally without their captain as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!