Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will miss at least four weeks after being placed on injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday. The 38-year-old center suffered a lower-body injury during Canada's Olympic quarterfinal win against Czechia on February 22, when his right leg awkwardly bent under pressure from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas.

Crosby's injury occurred as he tried to brace for a hit, with Gudas falling on him and causing the awkward bend. The star forward left that game and missed Canada's semifinal victory, ultimately deciding not to play in the gold medal game against the United States. He told reporters after Canada's loss that he simply wasn't physically able to compete at that level.

Before the injury, Crosby led the Penguins with 27 goals and 59 points through 56 games, putting him on pace for an 86-point season. His absence creates a significant void for Pittsburgh, which entered the Olympic break with the second-best record in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins face the New Jersey Devils on Thursday as they resume play, now without their top offensive catalyst for at least the next month.