Sidney Crosby’s injury sustained during the Olympic Games in Milan will extend into the NHL season, with the Pittsburgh Penguins captain sidelined for a minimum of four weeks, the team confirmed Wednesday. The setback follows a knee injury Crosby suffered during Canada’s quarterfinal match against Czechia.
Details of the Injury Incident at the Olympics
Crosby was hurt after taking two awkward hits on a single shift, including a forceful check into the boards near centre ice by Czech defenceman Radko Gudas. This forced Crosby to leave the game, causing him to miss the remainder of the quarterfinal, as well as the semifinal and final matches, though he was present as a game-time decision and participated in a morning skate before the gold-medal game.
“I wasn’t able to go out there and do what I needed to do in order to help the team,” Crosby later said. ”So at that point, you’ve got to make a decision that’s best for the group. Not an easy one.”
– Sidney Crosby, Captain of Pittsburgh Penguins
Canada ultimately lost the gold medal final 2-1 in overtime against the United States.
Crosby’s Olympic Performance and Current NHL Season
At 38 years old, Crosby finished his Olympic stint with two goals and four assists across four games, earning a silver medal to add to his previous Olympic gold medals from 2010 and 2014. Meanwhile, his NHL team, the Penguins, are deeply engaged in the Eastern Conference playoff race as they prepare to face Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils.
The Penguins hold a 29-15-12 record, second in the Metropolitan Division with 70 points, but they are only four points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who lie fourth in the division and ninth in the conference. Crosby himself has been a key contributor this season, tallying 27 goals and 32 assists in 56 games.
Penguins’ Roster Moves and Injury Impact
On Wednesday, the Penguins placed Crosby on injured reserve and activated defenceman Kris Letang. In a related development, the team traded Brett Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenceman Sam Girard and a second-round draft pick, possibly signaling a focus on future roster strength amid injury challenges.
Crosby is one of three NHL players injured at the Olympics expected to miss league time. Finnish forward Mikko Rantanen of the Dallas Stars will be out for at least two weeks, and Swiss forward Kevin Fiala of the Los Angeles Kings is sidelined for the remainder of the NHL season.
Implications for Penguins and NHL Playoffs
Crosby’s absence represents a significant loss for the Penguins as they navigate a tightly contested playoff race in the Metropolitan Division. His leadership and scoring ability have been critical, and the team’s recent roster shifts suggest an effort to bolster defensive options. How Crosby’s recovery unfolds will be crucial for Pittsburgh’s post-season aspirations, while the broader impact of Olympic injuries continues to affect several top NHL players and teams.
Crosby is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks. https://t.co/K3WB2aQa9y
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) February 25, 2026
