Penguins' Sidney Crosby to Return to Ice After Olympics Injury

The 38-year-old center missed 11 games due to a lower body injury sustained during the Winter Olympics.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby will return to the ice on Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes after missing 11 games due to a lower body injury he sustained during Canada's win over Czechia in the Winter Olympics quarterfinal on February 18 in Milan, Italy. Crosby, who has 27 goals and 32 assists this season, said he is "excited to get back in it" as the Penguins went 5-3-3 without him.

Why it matters

Crosby's return is a major boost for the Penguins, who sit in second place in the Eastern Conference's Metropolitan Division. The 38-year-old is one of the NHL's biggest stars and his presence on the ice makes the Penguins a much more formidable team as they push for a playoff spot.

The details

Crosby was initially expected to miss up to four weeks due to the lower body injury he sustained during the Olympics. He ended up missing the team's last 11 games, but is now ready to return to the lineup against the first-place Hurricanes.

  • Crosby was injured on February 18 during Canada's win over Czechia in the Winter Olympics quarterfinal in Milan, Italy.
  • Crosby will return to play on Wednesday, March 19, 2026 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The players

Sidney Crosby

A 38-year-old center for the Pittsburgh Penguins who is one of the NHL's biggest stars. He has 27 goals and 32 assists this season.

Pittsburgh Penguins

An NHL hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that currently sits in second place in the Eastern Conference's Metropolitan Division.

Carolina Hurricanes

An NHL hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina that currently sits in first place in the Eastern Conference's Metropolitan Division.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm excited to get back in it.”

— Sidney Crosby

“It's never easy watching, but I think you gain even more appreciation when you're up top and you see on a nightly basis the way we compete, the way we work, coming back in games, a lot of different things. I just want to jump in there and contribute as best I can.”

— Sidney Crosby

What’s next

The Penguins will play the first-place Hurricanes at 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 19, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The takeaway

Crosby's return from injury is a major boost for the Penguins as they push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. His presence on the ice makes the Penguins a much more formidable team and his leadership and skill will be crucial as they try to catch the first-place Hurricanes in the standings.