Sidney Crosby missed the final two games of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, and now, he will miss a significant portion of the NHL campaign.
After undergoing further evaluation upon his return to North America, the Pittsburgh Penguins confirmed that their captain will be sidelined for a significant portion of the remaining NHL campaign. What began as a hopeful quest for one last international medal has evolved into a race against time to save the Penguins’ season.
The diagnosis leaves a generational void in the heart of a Pittsburgh lineup that will need every point it can get come the homestretch.
Here’s the latest on how long Crosby is out.
MORE 2026 OLYMPICS NEWS:
How long is Sidney Crosby out?
After the Olympics, Crosby has been placed on the injured reserve and will miss a minimum of four weeks.
Sidney Crosby has been placed on the IR and is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks. pic.twitter.com/uSrcsnCiF5
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 25, 2026
Crosby suffered a lower-body injury in Canada’s quarterfinal game against Czechia and did not return for the rest of the Olympics. Canada went on to lose the gold medal game to the United States on February 22.
At 38 years old, Crosby had been having another standout season with 59 points in 56 games. His absence leaves a significant hole in the Penguins’ lineup as they push for a playoff spot in the final stretch of the season. Pittsburgh sits in second place in the Metropolitan Division at 70 points.
What happened to Sidney Crosby?
Crosby’s injury occurred during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan during Canada’s quarterfinal match against Czechia. At the red line, Czech defenseman Radko Gudas toppled over Crosby. As they fell, Crosby’s legs appeared to “split” awkwardly, and his right knee buckled under the weight of the contact.
Despite being visibly hobbled, Crosby stayed on the ice. Seconds later, he was “sandwiched” along the boards by Gudas and Martin Necas. After this second impact, he pulled up, circled back to the bench, and was seen in deep conversation with trainers before limping to the locker room.
If Sidney Crosby *Only* misses 4 weeks. That puts him out for 15 games. The Penguins have 26 games left. They have a 5 point playoff cushion. But Sid leads the team in goals and points.
This blows. pic.twitter.com/1Mi5SGhD1s
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 25, 2026
Although he briefly remained on the bench, he did not return to that game and subsequently missed both the Olympic semifinal and the gold medal game. Though coach Jon Cooper said during a press conference that “this will not be [Crosby’s] last Olympic game,” the captain did not return for the 2026 campaign.
While Hockey Canada initially labeled him “day-to-day” in hopes he could return for the Gold Medal game, the Penguins’ medical staff in Pittsburgh provided a more sobering update upon his return.
MORE: What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
Sidney Crosby injury updates
Crosby will be out for at least four weeks with the NHL campaign resuming, meaning he will miss a significant portion of the homestretch for Pittsburgh.
Crosby is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks. https://t.co/K3WB2aQa9y
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) February 25, 2026
When speaking to the media, Crosby said he’s never had this specific injury before.
Sidney Crosby on the severity of his injury. Says he found out the night he got hurt in the semifinals vs. Czechia.
“I didn’t really know what to expect. I hadn’t really had this specific injury before.” pic.twitter.com/Zcf16JMlAL
— Justin Guerriero (@GuerrieroTrib) February 25, 2026
MORE: Sidney Crosby injury updates from 2026 Olympics
When will Sidney Crosby return?
There’s no exact timeline for when Crosby will return to action, as the NHL is not disclosing the exact injury and his recovery. But the center will miss at least four weeks of the season.
If he is back on the minimum timeline, the Penguins will have 11 games remaining upon his return.
