EAST MEADOW, NY — Nobody wants to see players get hurt but sadly it’s a part of the game. Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who the New York Islanders trail by one point in the standings for second place in the Metropolitan Division, Sidney Crosby is going to miss some time.
Crosby sustained a lower-body injury in the 2026 Winter Olympic Semi-finals and will be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks. While Evgeni Malkin usually rises to the occasion when No. 87 is out, it’s a major blow to a team that many didn’t think would be where they are in the standings.
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Regardless of how well the Penguins play out of the break, the Islanders are in control of their own playoff destiny. They are four points up on the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets — Columbus has two games in hand on the Islanders.
The Islanders play Columbus in their second game back from break but first is a matchup with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday at 7 PM ET.
