Huge Update for Sidney Crosby & The Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby

The Pittsburgh Penguins have maintained their hold on a playoff spot in Sidney Crosby's absence. They have gone 5-3-3 without their captain in the lineup after his injury at the Olympics last month. But boy, will they be glad to get him back. And that is officially happening on Wednesday night in their game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

And the announcement came from none other than his teammate of the last 20 years in Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin:

Malkin joyfully walking off the ice just now to all of us media. “Guys he’s back. Crosby back!”
— Hailey Hunter (@TheHaileyHunter) March 18, 2026

“Guys, he’s back. Crosby back!” Malkin shouted to the media.

The Pens still hold down a second-place tie in the Metropolitan Division with the hard-charging NY Islanders. But the Columbus Blue Jackets are lurking just two points back. They haven't lost in their last 10 games.

Crosby's return comes just in the nick of time for the Penguins, who also got Malkin back in their last game after a 10-day absence.

Sidney Crosby spoke with the media following morning skate in Carolina 👇

"Just happy to finally be back in there." pic.twitter.com/pyCFsObMmm
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 18, 2026

“Excited to get back in it,” Crosby said following practice. “Just watching these guys, being on the (road) trip, obviously getting closer (to returning) — it’s been close. So, just happy to finally be back in there.”

Crosby suffered an MCL sprain when he was hit in the Olympic Quarterfinal by Czech defenseman Radko Gudas (now where have we heard something like that before?). Crosby had to sit out the Semifinal and the Gold Medal Game as a result, plus Pittsburgh's last 11 games.

In 56 games this season, Crosby has shown that even at the age of 38, he's still at the top of his game, with 27 goals and 59 points.