PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's not like it hasn't happened before, they have been without Evgeni Malkin since January 25. Now Sidney Crosby is, at best, questionable for the Pens games Friday and Saturday.
Crosby got his arm wedged between a pair of New Jersey players during the third period of Tuesday night's game and left the bench for about 10 minutes, but did return. Crosby missed practice on Wednesday, but did go through individual work on Thursday. Pens head coach Mike Sullivan said they continue to evaluate an 'upper-body injury' and they will have more information on Friday.
Pens have the game in New York on Friday and at Philadelphia on Saturday before a two-week break for the Four Nations Face-Off, Crosby is the captain for Team Canada. The team leading scorer hasn't missed a game in five seasons.
Sullivan said the expectations don't change without Malkin and potentially without Crosby. As he put it guys are always looking for more ice time and the more chances to be difference makers.
This is that opportunity.
"That's the world we live in, that's the NHL," Sullivan said. "When injuries occur, it provides opportunities for others. I think players need to look at it like that. The players that will be put in positions maybe playing more significant roles than they otherwise would be and they've got an opportunity to make an impact. It's a huge opportunity for guys in those types of situations."
One of those opportunities would be first-line winger Rickard Rakell moving to center. It's not his first choice, but the 31-year-old grew up playing center and said his first couple of years in the League played center (did have 10 game winning goals his final season at center in 2016-17 with Anaheim), but said that was a while ago. He doesn't mind it as long as people don't expect him to be Crosby.
"I have one way of playing center and Sid has one way of playing center and he's the best at it," Rakell said. "I'm just going to try to play my game and try not to make it too complicated."
Rakell then said with a wry smile that he is going to need his wingers to help him out.
"It's not going to be easy losing our top two forwards," Rakell said. "It's an opportunity for other guys to take that opportunity and do the best we can with it."
"It's hard, especially with two sensational players and people," said Pens forward Cody Glass. "It's just sticking to what you know you are good at and not trying to do too much. It's a team game, you don't want to try to go one-on-one out there. Just playing as a team, that's the biggest thing."
Glass said the first few minutes are really going to set the tone with playing the right way minus a couple of stars and leaders.
Sometimes the Pens are best when they play simple, although it's hard to say you are ever better without Sidney Crosby.
