Penguins Captain Crosby Out 4 Weeks After Olympic Injury

Crosby sustained a lower-body injury during Canada's Olympic quarterfinal win over Czechia.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 8:55pm

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The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without captain Sidney Crosby for at least four weeks after placing him on injured reserve, following a lower-body injury sustained at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Crosby was injured during Canada's knockout-round win over Czechia when he absorbed multiple hard checks along the boards. He finished the tournament with two goals and six points in four appearances before sitting out the semifinal and gold-medal matchup.

Why it matters

Crosby, now in his 21st NHL season, leads the Penguins with 27 goals and 59 points through 56 games and recently surpassed franchise icon Mario Lemieux as the team's all-time points leader. The Penguins sit second in the Metropolitan Division and are battling to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2022, so Crosby's absence will be a significant blow as they navigate a packed schedule after the Olympic break.

The details

Crosby was injured during Canada's quarterfinal win over Czechia when he absorbed multiple hard checks along the boards. He was seen favoring his right leg before heading to the locker room and later underwent an MRI. Although he was considered a possibility for Canada's final two games, he did not dress for either the semifinal against Finland or the gold-medal matchup — a 2-1 overtime loss to the United States.

  • Crosby was injured during Canada's quarterfinal win over Czechia.
  • Crosby did not dress for Canada's semifinal against Finland or the gold-medal game.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who leads the team with 27 goals and 59 points through 56 games this season and recently surpassed franchise icon Mario Lemieux as the Penguins' all-time points leader.

Radko Gudas

The Czech defenseman whose hard check on Crosby during the quarterfinal game led to Crosby's injury.

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What they’re saying

“It feels good. Obviously, I want to be back out there as soon as possible. Just have to figure out what that looks like, how long it's going to be and find a way to make sure that I'm at my best when I come back.”

— Sidney Crosby

“I didn't have a problem with the play. [Radko Gudas] was trying to be physical and step up. Play hard as any defenseman would. It went the wrong way as far as my end of it. I don't think he should feel the need to reach out or anything like that. It's hockey and that stuff happens.”

— Sidney Crosby

“I was pretty close I mean, ultimately I wasn't able to go out there and do what I needed to do in order to help the team, so at that point, you've got to make a decision that's best for the group. Not an easy one. But, you know, that's hockey.”

— Sidney Crosby

What’s next

The Penguins will need other players to step up in Crosby's absence as they battle for a playoff spot, with 19 games packed into 34 nights after the Olympic break.

The takeaway

Crosby's injury is a significant blow for the Penguins as they push for their first playoff appearance since 2022, highlighting the team's depth and resilience as they navigate Crosby's absence and a packed post-Olympic schedule.