Penguins captain Sidney Crosby out Tuesday vs. Stars
The Pittsburgh Penguins began the 2021-22 NHL season with three wins in four games without the services of superstar captain Sidney Crosby, who is still recovering from successful surgery on his left wrist that he underwent on Sept. 8.
It was originally thought that Crosby would miss at least the campaign's first four games, and it's now confirmed that's the case.
Per Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' website, Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan told reporters Monday that Crosby will not play Tuesday against the Dallas Stars (1-2-0). As Mike Darnay noted for Pensburgh, Crosby skated Monday, so there was brief hope he could return to the lineup Tuesday. However, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later added:
In some positive news for Penguins fans, star forward Evgeni Malkin was back on the ice for the first time since having offseason knee surgery.
Malkin is expected to be sidelined for at least the first two months of the season.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, doesn't play again after Tuesday until Saturday's clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Crosby's status for that contest likely won't be announced until later this week.
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