The Pittsburgh Penguins once again played without captain Sidney Crosby as they fell 4-1 to the New York Islanders. It is the sixth consecutive game and 27th in 30 last year’s MVP has missed with a sprained right ankle. Crosby is close to returning and may be back on the ice for the Penguins’ next game, according to the Associated Press.
Bill Guerin had a goal and an assist for the Islanders, who were eliminated from the playoff picture after losing to Philadelphia on Sunday. Richard Park, Sean Bergenheim and Trent Hunter also scored for New York, who snapped a five-game home losing streak. Wade Dubielewicz stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced. Petr Sykora notched Pittsburgh’s only tally. (More hockey stories.)