Sidney Crosby: (Lower Body) Out of All-Star Game

Crosby is dealing with a lower-body injury and will not suit up in Sunday's NHL All-Star Game, Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. The Penguins have also ruled him out for their first game of the second half, set for next Tuesday against the Jets.

Analysis:

It's almost hard to fathom, but thanks to a slew of untimely injuries, Crosby has been limited to just one All-Star Game appearance (in 2007) during his illustrious career. The more important note, however, is that it doesn't sound like Crosby is missing the NHL's showcase game merely as a precaution, as he'll also be forced to sit out a meaningful regular-season contest for the Penguins. Crosby has apparently been playing through the injury for some time and will require about a week to heal, according to NHL.com's Shawn Roarke. While it doesn't sound like a long-term absence is in store for the star center, Crosby's unavailability for at least one game puts the Pittsburgh offense in a perilous place. In addition to Crosby, fellow stars Evgeni Malkin (lower body) and Kris Letang (head) are both uncertain to be available for the first game out of the break.