Penguins send out mixed signals on Sidney Crosby’s potential return from injury

It’s the million dollar question in The City of Bridges: Is Sidney Crosby playing tonight, March 16, against the Colorado Avalanche? Most signs indicate he won’t, meaning the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ captain would miss his 11th straight game in the 2025-26 NHL season. However, ahead of the electric showdown in the Mile High City, Dan Muse and his staff have sent some mixed signals.

Since sustaining a lower-body injury in the 2026 Winter Olympics quarterfinal against Czechia, Crosby has yet to make an official appearance. While reports indicated he was close to playing in the gold medal game against Team USA, the fact he has yet to make his NHL return might indicate that would’ve been a terrible decision for the 38-year-old and future Hall of Famer.

“Looks like Sid will remain out tonight,” Josh Yohe, a Penguins beat writer, reported on his X account. However, shortly afterward, Yohe revealed Crosby took reps on power-play duties during Pittsburgh’s morning skate.

What does it mean for Crosby and the Penguins?

Both stances now hold solid arguments. The fact Crosby served as an extra, with no line designation in practice, should all but confirm that he will be inactive against the Avalanche. Under that perspective, Crosby filling in on power-play drills means he is trending closer to a return, but still not quite there yet.

However, if seen from the other point of view, Crosby’s power-play work could signal he is back. And the fact he served as an extra in practice could be a way for Muse and his staff to keep Jared Bednar and Colorado guessing.

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It’s unlikely, but crazier things have happened. Still, the safer bet would seem to be that Crosby will miss the matchup against fellow Nova Scotian icon Nathan MacKinnon and the No. 1 team in the NHL.

Penguins get Malkin back

Crosby might miss yet another game in the 2025-26 NHL regular season. Though far from consistent, the Penguins have managed to hold their ground during Crosby’s absence. Moreover, they sort of weathered the storm amid Evgeni Malkin’s five-game suspension for slashing Buffalo Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin.

In the five games Pittsburgh played without its iconic, three-time Stanley Cup-winning duo, it finished 2-1-2 (with 6 points out of 10 possible). The Penguins are currently second in the Metro Division, but with no room to breathe. They are tied in points with the New York Islanders (81 each), and just one point ahead of the wild card teams, Boston Bruins and New York Islanders.

A loss in Denver would put the Pens against the ropes. With or without Crosby, the Penguins must come away with points. It’s truly sink-or-swim season in the NHL, and the Penguins must prove they can keep up with the apex predators in the league.