If the Penguins were able to close out the Rangers on Friday night in Pittsburgh, they did so without Sidney Crosby.
The superstar, who left Game 5 of the first-round playoff series and did not return after taking a high hit from Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba, didn’t skate with teammates during Friday’s morning skate and did not suit up for Game 6. According to multiple reports, Crosby has a concussion.
During his career, Crosby has missed 108 games, plus a postseason match, due to numerous concussions.
Despite his history with head injuries — and the possibility his playoff run could be in jeopardy — the 34-year-old was in a positive mood after practicing alone.
“Sid is in a good place,” coach Mike Sullivan told reporters on Friday morning, hours before the Penguins attempted to turn their 3-2 first-round series lead into a second-round playoff berth.
Crosby did not play in the third period of Game 5 on Tuesday after a hit by the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba. Corey Sipkin for the NY POSTCrosby, as he has been since being drafted No. 1 overall by Pittsburgh in 2005, has been the focal point of the Penguins’ offense in the playoffs. He torched the Rangers and their Vezina Trophy candidate netminder Igor Shesterkin for two goals and nine points in the first five games.
The logical player to step up in Crosby’s absence was Evgeni Malkin, a longtime complement to the top center who has dominated when the Pittsburgh captain has been sidelined for various injuries through his career.
“We expect him to be the player he’s been for us in my time here,” Sullivan said of Malkin. “He has the ability to be a dominant payer. I think his track record speaks for itself.”
Malkin slotted between wingers Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust on the Penguins’ top line, while Evan Rodrigues took the Russian star’s second-line slot with Kasperi Kapanen and Danton Heinen at the morning skate.
“When you try to change the way you play and try to change your game when you get bumped up the lineup, I think that’s when you get in trouble, if you try to be too cute and stuff like that,” Rodrigues said. “I’m gonna go try to make my mark on this game, but at the same time, just kind of do what I’ve been doing the first five games, and just playing the way I know I can play.”
