Sidney Crosby breaks silence on devastating Olympic injury and what it means moving forward

Earlier on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that Sidney Crosby has been placed on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury, the issue that kept him out of Canada’s semifinal and gold medal games at the Milano Cortina Olympics. He is expected to miss at least four weeks of action.

Crosby was hurt during Canada’s quarterfinal matchup against Czechia and did not suit up for the semifinal against Finland or the gold medal showdown against the United States. His absence was clearly felt in Sunday’s loss.

After Wednesday’s team skate, Crosby spoke with the media, revealing he had been closer to playing in the Gold Medal Game than he initially realized.

“I was a lot closer than I thought to playing in the Gold Medal Game. I didn’t think it was necessarily going to be an option. The chance that I had a chance and was close to it—the staff was unbelievable.”/

He also addressed the play by Radko Gudas that caused the injury.

“I don’t have a problem with the play by Gudas. He was trying to be physical and play hard, and it went the wrong way. That’s hockey. That stuff happens.”

No further details were provided on the injury itself.

Pittsburgh currently sits at 29-15-12 with 70 points, second in the Metropolitan Division, and is on pace to clinch its first playoff berth in four years. Over the next four weeks, the Penguins face tough matchups, including the Colorado Avalanche twice, the Vegas Golden Knights twice, and the Carolina Hurricanes three times—all division leaders—without Crosby.

“I’m confident we can play well in my absence. We’re at this point because of our team play. It’s not because of any one person. Different guys have stepped up. It’s going to be an important stretch here, but I’m confident,” Crosby said.

The Penguins will resume play Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.