Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby Placed on IR, Expected to Miss 4 Weeks

Crosby injured during Olympics, Penguins also activate Kris Letang from IR

Feb. 25, 2026 at 3:18pm

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The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that captain Sidney Crosby has been placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks with an injury sustained during the Olympics. Crosby was hurt in Team Canada's quarterfinal matchup against Czechia. The Penguins also activated defenseman Kris Letang from injured reserve after he suffered a fractured foot prior to the Olympic break.

Why it matters

Crosby is the Penguins' leading scorer this season, so his absence will be a significant blow to the team's playoff push. The Penguins are currently in a tight race for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, so Crosby's injury could impact their postseason chances.

The details

Crosby was injured in the second period of Team Canada's quarterfinal game against Czechia at the Olympics. He took a hit from Czech defenseman Radko Gudas and remained on the bench for a few minutes before leaving for the locker room. Crosby did not return for the remainder of the quarterfinal game or the rest of the tournament. Team Canada ultimately lost 2-1 in overtime to Team USA in the gold medal game.

  • Crosby was injured during the Olympics in Team Canada's quarterfinal matchup against Czechia on February 18, 2026.
  • The Penguins announced Crosby's placement on injured reserve and expected 4-week absence on February 25, 2026.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of the best players in the NHL. He leads the Penguins in all offensive categories this season.

Kris Letang

A defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins who was activated from injured reserve after suffering a fractured foot prior to the Olympic break.

Radko Gudas

A defenseman for the Czech national team who delivered the hit that injured Sidney Crosby during the Olympics.

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What’s next

The Penguins will have to find a way to stay in the playoff race without their captain for at least the next four weeks. They return to action on Thursday, February 27th when they host the New Jersey Devils.

The takeaway

Crosby's injury is a significant setback for the Penguins, who are in a tight race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The team will need to rely on other key players to step up in Crosby's absence and keep their postseason hopes alive.