In a dramatic turn of events, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby left Thursday’s clash against the Ottawa Senators with what appeared to be an injury, and he didn’t make it back onto the ice.
Crosby, now 38, had only logged 6:39 of ice time before his unfortunate exit late in the first period. The incident unfolded when his left leg tangled with a Senators player along the boards. He attempted a comeback in the second period, but his return was brief, lasting just 38 seconds before he headed back to the locker room.
Despite Crosby’s absence, the Penguins managed to pull off a thrilling 4-3 victory in a shootout, with rookie Ben Kindel stepping up to score the decisive goal.
This setback comes after Crosby missed 11 games following the Olympic break due to a knee injury he sustained while representing Canada in the Milano Cortina 2026 quarter-finals against Czechia. Thursday marked only his fifth game back since that injury.
Throughout the season, Crosby has been a powerhouse for the Penguins, racking up 28 goals and 64 points over 60 games.
Currently, Pittsburgh sits in second place in the Metropolitan Division, boasting a 36-20-16 record. They hold a narrow one-point lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Islanders.
With just 10 games left in the regular season, the Penguins face crucial matchups against the Islanders and the Detroit Red Wings on Monday and Tuesday. These games could prove pivotal as they aim to solidify their playoff position.