The Pittsburgh Penguins are learning they can’t always have everything. Initially listed as a game-time decision, Sidney Crosby will be active against the New York Islanders. However, Evgeni Malkin has been confirmed to miss his fourth straight game in the NHL season.
“Sidney Crosby returns to the Penguins lineup against the Islanders,” Pittsburgh’s PR account on social media confirmed, @PenguinsPR.
The Penguins’ captain (lower-body injury) and Geno (upper-body injury) both practiced with contact and rejoined regular drills ahead of the trip to New York. However, the Pens are taking their time with Malkin. As for Crosby, he confirmed he would try to play against the Islanders, and he stayed true to his promise. Now, it’s all paid off.
Head coach Dan Muse had made it clear their availability would be decided close to puck drop, keeping their status firmly in doubt. That made this one of the most closely watched lineup situations of the night. Now, fans across the league will get to see Crosby back in action. And what better than in a crucial matchup in the Eastern Conference’s playoff race?
Sidney Crosby celebrates his goal with Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell in 2025 (Source: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Crosby returns to face favorite victim
The Islanders would’ve loved for Crosby to miss the game at UBS Arena. Watching “Sid the Kid” take to the ice only brings back terrible, haunting memories for fans in Long Island. The Penguins’ star registers 140 points in his career against New York (44 goals and 96 assists), the most by any active NHL player against one club.
Moreover, Crosby averages 1.52 points-per-game against the Islanders. If the Pens ever needed their captain to lead them to victory, it might be tonight as they take on the Isles in a game for second place in the Metropolitan Division.
What injuries do Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have?
Sidney Crosby has been dealing with a lower-body injury, while Evgeni Malkin is recovering from an upper-body injury. Both issues have sidelined them in recent games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and remain the key reason behind their uncertainty prior to the visit to the New York Islanders.
Crosby suffered his injury after exiting a recent game following an awkward play, which led the team to rule him out shortly after. Meanwhile, Geno sustained his upper-body issue in a previous matchup and has missed multiple games since, with Pittsburgh opting for a cautious recovery plan.
Neither injury is currently viewed as long-term, but given the timing in the playoff race, the NHL team have been careful not to rush either player back into action before they are fully ready.
Malkin struggling to stay on the ice
Malkin has missed time recently for multiple reasons. Earlier this month, he served a five-game suspension after slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the head during a game on March 5, an incident that resulted in a major penalty and game misconduct.
After returning from that suspension, he was able to rejoin the lineup, but he was later sidelined again due to an upper-body injury. Now back at practice and taking contact, his status will likely be determined shortly before the game.
