Sidney Crosby placed on injured reserve by Penguins for four weeks

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been ruled out for at least four weeks after being placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.

The NHL franchise announced the decision on Wednesday as the league prepares to return from its Olympic break.

Crosby sustained the injury while representing Canada at the Winter Games on 22 February.

The 38-year-old was hurt during a quarter-final victory over Czechia following a collision with Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas.

Olympic heartbreak

The veteran centre missed Canada’s semi-final win against Finland and was unavailable for the gold medal decider against the United States.

Despite initial hopes he might recover in time, the forward confirmed he was physically unable to participate in the final, which the US won 2-1 in overtime.

“It’s pretty clear given the situation whether you can either play or not play,” Crosby told reporters.

“And just didn’t feel like I was able to. Even to get to the point where I had to make the decision, I didn’t think I’d be in that position after the Czech game.”

“I think the medical staff, everybody was incredible.”

Playoff pursuit impact

Losing their top-line forward presents a significant challenge for the Penguins as they resume their pursuit of a post-season spot.

Pittsburgh currently hold the second-best record in the Metropolitan Division but have not qualified for the playoffs since the 2021-22 campaign.

Crosby has been instrumental this season, leading the team with 27 goals and 59 points before the international break.

He sits 14 points clear of his nearest team-mate, Evgeni Malkin, who has missed 15 games through injury himself.

The Penguins will return to action without their captain on Thursday when they face the New Jersey Devils.