Sidney Crosby Bloodied as the Pittsburgh Penguins Stumble Again

It was a case of double-trouble for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Long Island yesterday evening.

In the second game of a home-and-home against Atlantic Division foes, the Pittsburgh Penguins fell 5-3 to the New York Islanders for the second time in three days.

Adding injury to insult, the oft-injured Sidney Crosby took a puck to the face during the second period, forcing Penguins fans to hold their collective breath.

The incident occurred as Islanders defenseman Dylan Reese unsuccessfully attempted to clear the puck, but struck Crosby's nose instead.

With blood spilling from Crosby's face, Penguins trainers assisted him to the locker room for further evaluation.

Crosby received treatment, though the injury did not require stitches, and returned to Pittsburgh's bench with 10:11 remaining in the second period and jumped out for his line's very next shift.

While the Penguins were relieved to dodge that bullet, their recent performances are a bit baffling—losing back-to-back games to an inferior Islanders team and giving up 10 goals in the process.

With four critical points lost, the Penguins sit five points back of the New York Rangers for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with just five games remaining on both teams' schedules.

Both teams are in action tonight as Pittsburgh travels to Buffalo and New York host the Canadiens.

Ryan O'Leary is a writer and researcher for Bleacher Report's Video Production Department with seven years experience in the sports industry.