Penguins center Sidney Crosby is expected to be out six to eight weeks while recovering from the high ankle sprain he sustained last Friday.

That prognosis was issued after Crosby underwent an extensive examination this morning.

If the timetable holds -- and that is far from certain, because setbacks are common for athletes with such injuries -- Crosby should return to the lineup sometime in early to mid-March.

Crosby was injured during the first period of the Penguins' 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay at Mellon Arena last Friday, when his right foot bent awkwardly as he slid into the boards behind the Lightning net.

The Penguins are 1-0-1 in the two games Crosby has missed so far.