‘Encouraging' Sidney Crosby injury development precedes inspired Penguins performance

New York Times

08-02-2025

Sidney Crosby missed his first hockey game in over two years Friday but also appeared to take a step toward playing in the 4 Nations Face-Off next week.
Crosby's upper-body injury kept him out of the lineup for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3-2 victory against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. However, Crosby participated during a morning skate — an 'encouraging' development, coach Mike Sullivan said.
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'We're taking each day as it comes,' Sullivan said.
Crosby had played in a career-best 229 consecutive games.
Sid's consecutive games played streak is the ninth-longest in team history. Those longer:Kessel (328)Adams (319)Schock (313)Staal (302)Harbaruk (276)Malkin (254)Dupuis (238)Stackhouse (235)
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) February 7, 2025
His official status remains day to day.
The Penguins play the Flyers in Philadelphia on Saturday night — their final game before the NHL's break for the 4 Nations tournament. Crosby, as expected, was named captain for Team Canada, though there is no public word on his status for Wednesday's tournament opener against Sweden at Bell Centre in Montreal.
The tournament, and the opener specifically, is meaningful for Crosby. He is one of Canada's most celebrated international hockey players, having scored the golden goal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and captained the men's national team to wins at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and 2016 World Cup of Hockey — the latter for which he was named Most Outstanding Player.
Crosby, 37, is perhaps entering the final stages of an iconic run with Team Canada. He is considered a lock to also serve as captain at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, likely the final time he will wear his country's famous maple leaf crest.
Crosby, whose father, Troy, was drafted by Montreal, was a Canadiens fan while growing up. Playing in the opener in Montreal would be a full-circle moment for his family.
Sullivan, who will coach Team USA at the 4 Nations, said he is not involved in any decisions about Crosby's ability for 4 Nations. He said Kyle Dubas, the Penguins president of hockey and general manager, could better discuss matters involving Crosby and Team Canada.
Dubas is an assistant GM for Team Canada.
'I've never been through this situation — this 4 Nations tournament is new to all of us,' Sullivan said. 'What I can tell you is Sid's health is always our priority. It's our priority for every player.
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'That tournament means an awful lot to Sid for obvious reasons. As his (Penguins) coach and somebody who cares about him, I want what's best for him. But also I'm hopeful that he has the opportunity to participate because it means so much to him.'
Nathan MacKinnon, Crosby's close friend who plays for the Colorado Avalanche and is part of Team Canada, said Friday he spoke with Crosby, but 'didn't want to put words in his mouth.'
'I think he's doing fine,' MacKinnon said. 'Definitely scary.'
Nathan MacKinnon said he reached out to Sidney Crosby to see how his injury is."I think he's doing fine. Definitely scary."Asked if he thought Crosby could still play 4 Nations: "I'd imagine. I don't want to put words in his mouth, but he's a very very tough individual.…
— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) February 6, 2025
Crosby was injured Tuesday night in the Penguins' shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. His left arm was pinned between the Devils' Luke Hughes and Erik Haula early in the third period of that game, though he returned to finish the game.
Crosby did not practice Wednesday but returned to the ice Thursday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pa. He was a brief participant in practice before a lengthy individual session on a separate sheet of ice — though he rarely shot the puck.
Crosby had dealt with a left wrist injury for over a decade. The injury required surgery in September 2021.
Early that season marked the last time the Penguins played without Crosby and Evgeni Malkin before Friday night. They had not missed a game together dating to November 2021.
Malkin is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and will not play until after the upcoming NHL break for 4 Nations.
Without their two probable first-ballot Hockey Hall of Fame centers, the Penguins delivered an inspired effort that seemed to stun the Rangers, especially during a decisive second period.
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Winger Rickard Rakell moved to center on the top line against the Rangers and did not look out of place. He had played center in junior hockey for current Penguins assistant coach Mike Vellucci.
Rakell, an injury replacement for Sweden at the 4 Nations tournament, continued a turnaround season Friday night. His team-leading 25th goal was sandwiched by tallies from Blake Lizotte and Philip Tomasino as the Penguins turned two deficits into a lead by the end of the second period. Tomasino's goal snapped a five-game drought on the power play for the Penguins, who were sixth in the NHL with a 25 percent efficiency before games Friday.
The Penguins killed two late power plays, the last with the Rangers' goalie pulled, to secure the victory. Improbably, the Penguins won despite not recording a shot in the final period.
25 goals this season for Raks.
As @JG_PxP would say, "THIS DUDE IS ON FIRE!" 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3smodIBrN5
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 8, 2025
Rakell, who has three seasons remaining on his contract, has emerged as another asset Dubas may move before the NHL trade deadline. He placed second on The Athletic's latest Big Board. He is on pace to top his 34-goal season with the Anaheim Ducks in 2017-18, and Dubas has been acquiring prospects and draft picks since trading Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes before the trade deadline last season.
The Penguins, despite a 3-0-1 mini run recently, are trending toward missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for a third consecutive season. Dubas has not said publicly he is rebuilding, but his moves over the past year have suggested a rebuild.
'We have to continue to move down the path of the mission we set out about a year ago,' Dubas said Monday, speaking publicly on a multi-asset trade that sent veterans Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor to the Vancouver Canucks. 'Which is to continue to stockpile younger players, prospects and draft picks.'