Penguins/NHL
After playing over 23 minutes Wednesday night vs the Chicago Blackhawks, Sidney Crosby has dropped out of the NHL All-Star game due to a lower body injury, the team claims in a statement released after 6:30 p.m. this evening
The timing of Crosby’s absence and the fact that the Penguins normal medical staff was not around today due to the four day break, is drawing suspicions on Crosby withdrawing from the game.
The team says in the released statement Crosby “will need about a week to heal.”
Per NHL rules, Crosby will not be permitted to play vs Winnipeg, due to Crosby playing in the Penguins last game prior to the break and missing the All-Star game.
The Penguins are also expected to be without Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang vs Jets, though, a timetable on Malkin because he was not able to see the team’s medical staff today.
Crosby has only appeared in one All-Star game during his career. When he missed the 2009 game, Crosby had pressure from the NHL to show up and make an appearance, which he did. However, Crosby is not planning to attend this weekend’s festivities.
