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Crosby stays home as precaution
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Sidney Crosby got hit a few times Monday in the Penguins 3-1 loss against Boston, once in a collision with linemate Chris Kunitz, and the aftereffects have grounded the Penguins captain and center.
While there is no indication Crosby has had a setback in his concussion recovery or sustained another one, he did not travel with the club Wednesday to Philadelphia and will not play there tonight or against the Islanders Saturday in New York.
Penguins general manager Ray Shero said in a statement -- and another team official concurred -- that benching Crosby is a matter of playing it safe.
"Sidney took a hard hit during our game against Boston Monday night and wasn't feeling 100 percent," Shero said, adding that Crosby saw UPMC concussion specialist Micky Collins and passed an imPACT neurocognitive test.
"However, we all think it's best that he sits out the next two games as a precaution," Shero said.
The nature of Crosby's discomfort was not outlined. Crosby missed 61 games over nearly 11 months after he was diagnosed with a concussion Jan. 6. He returned Nov. 21 to great fanfare and after many weeks of practice with no concussion symptoms. He has two goals, 12 points in eight games.
Crosby participated in an hourlong practice Wednesday and appeared to be at full speed. Afterward, he did a lengthy set of interviews and spoke of playing tonight. The only time his health was broached, Crosby said his right knee was fine.
That's where it appeared he took the brunt of the collision with Kunitz. Crosby was slow getting up and appeared to be in pain for a few minutes, but he returned to the game a short time later.
No Bruins were credited with hitting Crosby, nor was he credited with making a hit, but it was a physical game and he was involved in at least a couple of other hard checks. Crosby did not practice Tuesday. Coach Dan Bylsma said Crosby was given a "maintenance day" afforded to players with minor bumps and bruises.
Crosby's concussion was diagnosed after he took hits in successive games Jan. 1 and Jan. 5. His symptoms were delayed, one of the things that makes concussions difficult to diagnose. The imPACT test Crosby passed Wednesday is a diagnostic tool. Scores are compared to a baseline imPACT test done when the person is healthy.
Defensemen Zbynek Michalek and Kris Letang were diagnosed with concussions over the weekend after both passed an imPACT test.
First Published December 8, 2011 12:00 am
