You already have seen the Pittsburgh Penguins without star center Sidney Crosby. The Capitals played them twice in the second half of last season with the NHL’s best player off the ice thanks to a pair of concussions. But the injuries Pittsburgh dealt with during the second half of last season look like nothing compared to the disaster unfolding for them in 2011-12. Crosby made his long-awaited return from those concussions and terrorized the league for eight games. He then collided with a teammate Dec. 5 and is out indefinitely again with concussion symptoms. That began a rash of injuries that leaves some wondering whether Pittsburgh, which plays the Caps at Verizon Center on Wednesday, will even reach the playoffs.
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Crosby hasn’t been ruled out for the season — yet. But his latest symptoms are a tremendous concern. Until they settle down, there’s no point in asking about a return date. Meanwhile, defenseman Kris Letang, 24, had established himself as an elite two-way player. He was easily headed for a 60-point season. But a concussion has Letang, too, on the shelf. He at least has begun skating, but clearance for contact could be a while.
Is that it? No way. James Neal, a winger having a monster season with 21 goals, broke his foot after blocking a shot Saturday against the Devils. He ranks fifth in the league in goals scored. The night before, star center Jordan Staal — along with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin part of the deepest trio of centers in the NHL — suffered ligament damage in his knee. He doesn’t need surgery, but he could be out until late February. You wonder how many more blows the Penguins can take.
– Brian McNally
