Sidney Crosby to Miss Pittsburgh Penguins' Next 2 Games as Precaution

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced Wednesday afternoon that Sidney Crosby will be held out of the Penguins' next two games, Thursday in Philadelphia and Saturday on Long Island, as a precautionary measure.

Crosby took a few solid hits in the Boston Bruins game Monday and appeared visibly less aggressive than at other points during this season. Crosby visited with Dr. Micky Collins again this week and passed his ImPACT test.

The Pens released a statement on their team website. Via Penguins Report:

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"Sidney took a hard hit during our game against Boston Monday night and wasn't feeling 100 percent," Penguins General Manager Ray Shero said. "He saw Dr. Micky Collins of UPMC today and took an ImPACT test, which showed no problems. However, we all think it's best that he sits out the next two games as a precaution."

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Crosby didn't look to be himself for parts of the Boston game Monday, and at one point collided heavily with teammate Chris Kunitz.

The Penguins captain was slow to return to the bench following the collision, but the injury appeared to be to his lower body.

The team didn't specify how Sid was injured, but the appearance of Collins and the use of the ImPACT test implies that something may be at least a little "off." The Penguins are already without defensemen Kris Letang and Zbynek Michalek, each on the shelf indefinitely with concussions.

Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tweeted that Crosby attended and appeared fine at practice today. Crosby, however, won't travel with the team during their two-game swing.

It should be no surprise that the Penguins are being hyper-cautious with their greatest asset, but as fans have seen with Letang this season and Crosby in January, initial reports can sometimes mean absolutely nothing.

The Penguins currently sit first in the Eastern Conference with 36 points.