Sidney Crosby's absence was a significant factor in Canada's loss to the United States in the Olympic gold-medal game for men's hockey. The Canadian captain, sidelined due to an injury sustained in the quarterfinal against Czechia, also missed the semifinal clash with Finland, leaving a noticeable void in the lineup.
As the NHL season looms, the Pittsburgh Penguins are left in suspense regarding Crosby's return. The timing couldn't be worse for the 38-year-old veteran, who is in his 21st NHL season and leading the team with 59 points, including 27 goals and 32 assists, over 56 games.
The Penguins boast a 29-15-12 record, sitting second in the Metropolitan Division with 70 points. With 26 games left in the 2025-26 regular season, they are on track to secure a playoff spot for the first time in four years. However, Crosby’s extended absence could jeopardize those hopes.
In a recent episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk, alongside former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton and SportsNet Pittsburgh’s Josh Getzoff, delved into the implications of Crosby's injury for the Penguins.
Tyler Yaremchuk posed the pressing question: How concerned should the Penguins be about Crosby's status?
Josh Getzoff responded, "Concern is definitely warranted, but it's not time to panic just yet. Seeing Crosby in Milan during the gold-medal game was reassuring, as it was the first sighting of him in days.
While the Penguins recognize the injury could take longer to heal than hoped, there's no definitive timeline yet. I’ll be meeting with Dan Muse later, and we might get more clarity then."
Getzoff emphasized that while Crosby's absence is expected, there's no immediate fear that it will extend through the remainder of the regular season.
The Penguins, and their fans, will be anxiously awaiting updates, hoping for a swift return of their star player as they push for a playoff berth.