Crosby’s status uncertain after injury
Sidney Crosby's status for Game 6 against the New York Rangers is up in the air.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain left Game 5 of their first-round series on Wednesday after taking a high hit from Rangers defenceman Jacob Trouba in the second period. Trouba's shoulder appeared to catch Crosby in the head he did not return.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan did not have any updated information at his media session on Thursday morning.
"Sidney Crosby will be evaluated when he goes back to Pittsburgh with us today," Sullivan said. "His injury is an upper body injury. I'm not going to get into more specifics with that."
Sullivan also said it's "not my responsibility" to evaluate whether Trouba should be suspended or fined for the hit. But in the immediate aftermath of the game, Sullivan was clearly unhappy with the play.
"Did you see the hit?" Sullivan said in response to a question about whether there was an intent to injure Crosby by Trouba. "You probably have the same opinion I do."
Crosby, 34, checked his nose for blood once he got to the bench but there's no way of knowing exactly what his injury is. He also famously had serious concussion issues earlier in his career after a blindside collision with David Steckel of the Washington Capitals.
"We've got plenty of leaders on the team that have been through a lot," Crosby's
linemate Jake Guentzel told reporters after the game. The Cole Harbour native leads the Penguins with nine points in five playoff games and is tied for third in the NHL scoring race.
"You never want to see a player like that leave, but we've got the group to step up. We have a lot of capable guys in the locker room. We've got to find a way."