Demotion for Sidney Crosby does not go unnoticed

Fans noticed on Tuesday night and it started trending on social media. As the Pittsburgh Penguins faced the Buffalo Sabres, who got the early lead in the contest, head coach Mike Sullivan demoted captain Sidney Crosby in the lineup.

As noted during the game by team insider Seth Rorabaugh, Crosby was sent to center Danton Heinen and Dominik Simon, while Evan Rodrigues was in between Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust.

While fans were quick to criticize Sullivan for his decision to demote the star player, you have to wonder what could work for the Penguins, who have been struggling since the start of the 2021-22 season.

Crosby might need more time now to get the rust out. He returned three games ago. He’s 34 and has had numerous surgeries in recent seasons. He is not Sid the Kid anymore.

But Sullivan kept playing with the lines all night long and finally got some result with Crosby as he collected an assist on Guentzel’s goal. But it wasn’t enough.

The Penguins lost 2-1 and are still looking for their first win of 2021-22 with Crosby in the lineup.