HOCKEY: Pens' Sidney Crosby out at least 4 weeks with Olympic injury

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks after sustaining a lower-body injury while playing for Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The Penguins announced the timeline and placed the star center on injured reserve Wednesday.

"Obviously, I want to be back out there as soon as possible," Crosby said. "Just have to figure out what that looks like, how long it's going to be and find a way to make sure that I'm at my best when I come back."

Also on Wednesday, the Penguins activated defenseman Kris Letang from injured reserve. Letang was sidelined on Jan. 31 with a broken foot.

Crosby, 38, suffered the injury in Canada’s 4-3 overtime win against Czechia in the quarterfinals. The incident occurred as he tried to avoid a hit from Radko Gudas, ducking while Gudas, moving at full speed, fell over him, causing Crosby’s right leg to bend awkwardly.

"I didn't have a problem with the play," Crosby said. "He was trying to be physical and step up. Play hard as any defenseman would. It went the wrong way as far as my end of it. I don't think he should feel the need to reach out or anything like that. It's hockey and that stuff happens. Unfortunately, it's one of those things."

This season, Crosby has recorded 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 56 games. He has 1,746 career points (652 goals, 1,094 assists) in 1,408 games over 21 seasons with Pittsburgh. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Crosby also led Canada to Olympic gold in Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014 before winning silver in Milan Cortina.

Letang, also 38, has tallied 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) in 50 games this season. A two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time All-Star, he has 797 points (178 goals, 619 assists) in 1,211 games since Pittsburgh drafted him in the third round in 2005. He ranks third in franchise history in games played behind Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

–Field Level Media/Reuters