Crosby to Travel with Penguins for Key Islanders Matchup

Penguins center's status for Monday's game remains uncertain as he recovers from lower-body injury.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape representing the action on the ice, without any identifiable players or teams.As the Penguins and Islanders fight for playoff positioning, the potential return of captain Sidney Crosby could be a game-changing factor in their upcoming matchup.Today in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will travel with the team for their upcoming game against the New York Islanders, though his status for the contest remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a lower-body injury. Crosby took full contact in practice on Sunday after missing the team's previous game, and coach Dan Muse said a decision on his availability will be made closer to game time.

Why it matters

The Penguins and Islanders are locked in a tight race for second place in the Metropolitan Division, making Monday's matchup a crucial one for both teams' playoff positioning. Crosby's potential return would be a major boost for the Penguins as they look to solidify their spot in the postseason.

The details

In addition to Crosby's status, the Penguins also provided updates on other injured players. Forward Evgeni Malkin took contact for the first time on Sunday after missing three games with an upper-body injury, though his travel status is also undecided. Forwards Bryan Rust and Noel Acciari each took a maintenance day on Sunday but are expected to travel with the team.

  • Crosby missed the Penguins' 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday with the lower-body injury.
  • Crosby took full contact in practice on Sunday, his first time doing so since sustaining the injury.
  • The Penguins will face the Islanders on Monday, March 30, at 7 p.m. ET.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The 38-year-old Penguins captain, who has 121 points this season, is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Evgeni Malkin

The 39-year-old Penguins forward has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but took contact in practice on Sunday.

Dan Muse

The Penguins' head coach, who provided updates on the team's injured players.

Bryan Rust

The Penguins forward took a maintenance day on Sunday but is expected to travel with the team.

Noel Acciari

The Penguins forward also took a maintenance day on Sunday but is expected to travel with the team.

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What they’re saying

“They're all important at this point. It's a big race, a big stretch for us. You know, as a player, these are the ones you want to be in. I mean, these are big games.”

— Sidney Crosby

What’s next

The Penguins and Islanders will face off on Monday, March 30, at 7 p.m. ET. Crosby's status for the game will be determined closer to puck drop.

The takeaway

The Penguins' playoff positioning is on the line as they battle the Islanders for second place in the Metropolitan Division. Crosby's potential return would be a major boost, but the team will have to wait until closer to game time to know if their captain will be available.