Penguins' Crosby ruled out versus Blue Jackets
Captain Sidney Crosby will sit out the Pittsburgh Penguins' home contest against the Metropolitan Division-rival Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.
Coach Mike Sullivan made the announcement on Monday morning after Crosby missed practice the previous day with an undisclosed lower-body injury. The two-time Hart Trophy winner was injured during Saturday's 2-1 setback to the Carolina Hurricanes, but Sullivan told reporters that he doesn't believe Crosby will be sidelined for long.
Via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
"I don’t believe it’s a long-term thing, no. And so, the hope is that with the break here coming up, he’ll have a chance to recover."
Crosby has collected six goals and 16 assists in 32 games for the struggling Penguins (15-14-3), who have dropped five in a row to fall into sixth place in the division.
#Pens Sidney Crosby (lower body) will not play tonight. PIT since 2005-06: With Crosby: 360-232-67 (.597) Without Crosby: 93-48-18 (.642)
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) December 21, 2015
Pittsburgh will return from the Christmas break on Saturday when it opens a two-game homestand against the Minnesota Wild.
