The Penguins stayed overnight in New York following their Game 5 loss to the Rangers, wherein Sidney Crosby had left in the second period following a high hit from Jacob Trouba.
Head educate Mike Sullivan spoke with the media this morning before the group’s flight home, and provided an update at the captain.
“Sid might be evaluated while he goes back to Pittsburgh with us these days,” Sullivan said. “His injury is an upper-body injury. I’m not going to get into more specifics with that.”
The Penguins did no longer maintain a team exercise nowadays because of their tour scenario, so the next time they may be on the ice is for morning skate in advance of Game 6 on Friday in Pittsburgh. Sullivan stated they’re no longer going to get beforehand of themselves on the subject of Crosby’s availability for that game, and that they will take each day because it comes.
“But irrespective of what our lineup seems like each and each night time, we agree with we’ve got what it takes to win,” Sullivan stated. “We have a variety of intensity at in all the positions. We’ve were given a succesful institution, and this group has continually had the subsequent-guy-up mentality. We’ll keep to do this transferring ahead here.”
Video: Coach Sullivan speaks with the media
Crosby’s play at some point of this series has been simply exquisite. He had recorded multiple points in 4 instantly games to begin the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs for a total of 9 (2G-7A), marking the fifth time a Penguins player has finished one of these feat in crew history.
His intention and two assists in Game 4 made him just considered one of six gamers all-time to accumulate 2 hundred playoff factors for his profession, which came in 178 video games, the fourth-fewest quantity required.
But even as his stats had been remarkable, what is also been amazing is simply the inducement and desire that the 34-year-antique has been gambling with. It’s been simply inspiring hockey.
“He’s a splendid chief. He’s the same old. He personifies what it way to be a Pittsburgh Penguin,” Sullivan said. “So he is not only a leader through his moves, however he is a pacesetter via his demeanor and how he incorporates himself. He’s a voice of purpose via an emotional, turbulent recreation. That’s what he brings to our team. He’s only a super chief both on the ice and off the ice. I’m probably declaring the plain, but he way lots to this enterprise, he method loads to this crew.”
Fortunately, the Penguins have every other generational, recreation-changing expertise in their lineup that they could rely upon in difficult circumstances like these. When Crosby went down, Evgeni Malkin moved up to middle Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust, a combination it’s had achievement within the past whenever the captain has been out due to damage.
If Crosby is unable to head on Friday, the Penguins have faith that Malkin might be the terrific difference-maker that he’s been at some stage in his profession.
“Geno, he is an essential man for us,” Sullivan stated. “That combination, Sid and Geno, had been of the first-rate inside the league for 15-plus years. So, whilst one among them is out, the opposite one steps up. That’s been my enjoy due to the fact that I’ve been right here and depending on what takes place shifting forward, I’m positive Geno will deliver his pleasant.”