The Penguins have delivered some tough news regarding Sidney Crosby. The team captain is now on injured reserve and will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
Crosby sustained his injury during the Olympics. He was seen trying out a knee brace while skating solo, hoping to participate in the gold medal game, but ultimately couldn't make it. Now, the Penguins face the challenge of playing without him for a significant stretch.
In recent times, NHL teams have been using terms like "minimum" or "re-evaluated" when discussing injuries, reflecting the unpredictable nature of recovery. We've seen cases like Bryan Rust, who was initially expected to be out for a minimum of two weeks but made a return in just nine days.
Erik Karlsson was slated for re-evaluation after two weeks but was back on the ice in nine days. Kris Letang, too, was expected to be out for four weeks but returned to skating after just two.
However, not all injuries allow for such early comebacks. Players like Justin Brazeau, Noel Acciari, and Tristan Jarry needed slightly more time than initially projected.
Regardless of the exact timeline, the Penguins have a challenging road ahead without Crosby. They're about to embark on a grueling schedule, with 12 games in the next 21 days, 15 over four weeks, and 19 in the next five weeks. With 26 regular-season games left, they'll have to navigate most of them without their top scorer.