Penguins Navigating Injuries to Crosby, Malkin

Team depth and resilience key to weathering absences of star players

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:33am

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with injuries to star players Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but the team has shown it can remain competitive even without its top talent. Coach Dan Muse emphasizes a 'committee' approach to fill the void, while defenseman Erik Karlsson stresses the importance of a resilient mindset. The Penguins' situation highlights a league-wide trend towards building deeper rosters to mitigate the impact of injuries and maintain consistency throughout the NHL season.

Why it matters

The Penguins' ability to remain competitive without Crosby and Malkin underscores the growing importance of team depth in the NHL. As the game becomes faster and more physically demanding, injuries are inevitable, and teams that can effectively manage these challenges by developing a strong supporting cast will be best positioned for long-term success.

The details

The Penguins have a 5-4-3 record without Crosby this season, and a 2-2-2 record when both Crosby and Malkin are out of the lineup. Coach Dan Muse emphasizes that filling the void isn't a one-to-one replacement, but rather a collective effort. Defenseman Erik Karlsson articulated the mindset required during these periods, presenting a clear choice: 'We can hang our heads and admit defeat or everybody can just say to themselves that, 'I'm going to do my absolute best every time I get out there.''

  • The Penguins have a 5-4-3 record this season without Sidney Crosby.
  • The Penguins have a 2-2-2 record when both Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are out of the lineup.

The players

Sidney Crosby

An elite NHL player, eighth all-time in points (1,751) and assists (1,098), and a two-time Hart Trophy winner, representing a level of sustained excellence rarely seen in the league.

Evgeni Malkin

A significant offensive force for the Penguins, with 52 points in 50 games this season.

Dan Muse

The head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, emphasizing a 'committee' approach to fill the void left by the absences of Crosby and Malkin.

Erik Karlsson

A defenseman for the Penguins, who articulated the mindset required during these periods of key player absences.

Rutger McGroarty

A player recalled by the Penguins, an example of the team's strategy to develop a deeper roster to mitigate the impact of injuries.

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What they’re saying

“All these things have to be done by committee.”

— Dan Muse, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins

“We can hang our heads and admit defeat or everybody can just say to themselves that, 'I'm going to do my absolute best every time I get out there.'”

— Erik Karlsson, Defenseman, Pittsburgh Penguins

“I think it's because of our team play. I don't think it's been any one person. It's because collectively, as a group, we've found different ways to win and different guys have stepped up.”

— Sidney Crosby

What’s next

The Penguins will continue to monitor the progress of Crosby and Malkin's injuries and make roster decisions accordingly. The team's ability to maintain competitiveness without its star players will be crucial as the season progresses.

The takeaway

The Penguins' situation highlights the growing importance of team depth in the NHL. As injuries become more common, teams that can effectively develop a strong supporting cast and foster a resilient mindset will be better positioned for long-term success, even when faced with the absence of their top talent.