PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins must endeavor to keep their quest for the postseason alive in the absence of team legends Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Coach Dan Muse indicated that both athletes are listed as “day-to-day” due to ailments and are set to miss the upcoming Saturday matchup versus Dallas.
Crosby incurred a lower-body affliction during the initial frame of a 4-3 shootout triumph on Thursday in Ottawa. Crosby, 38, had been out for nearly four weeks recently after suffering a lower-body injury he sustained during his participation with Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games.
Malkin’s upcoming absence marks his third straight fixture as he contends with an upper-body issue which first surfaced following their defeat by Carolina on March 22nd.
As of Saturday, Pittsburgh occupied the second position within the Metropolitan Division’s rankings, holding a narrow one-point advantage over both Columbus and the New York Islanders, with ten matches still to be played.
These setbacks occur during an intense schedule for the Penguins, scheduled to face the Islanders on Monday and subsequently welcome the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The Pittsburgh club endeavors to make its first playoff appearance since 2022.