Sidney Crosby to miss next two games

The Penguins have announced that Sidney Crosby did not accompany them when they left for this road-trip and will be out for the next two games. From the team:

Sidney Crosby did not accompany the Pittsburgh Penguins on their road trip to Philadelphia today and will sit out the next two games as a precaution.

"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."

Crosby's biggest collision may have been with teammate Chris Kunitz in open ice. Despite the hit (and a report of a possible knee injury) Crosby finished the game and also practiced today. That he was able to practice today does give a little optimism, and the team hasn't said anything about a head injury so hopefully the "not 100%" feeling isn't related to the concussion symptoms that kept Crosby out of the lineup for most of the 2011 calendar year.

The Penguins play in Philadelphia tomorrow for the season's first matchup against Jaromir Jagr, Max Talbot and company then Pittsburgh plays at the New York Islanders on Saturday. The next game that Crosby could appear in would be a home game next Tuesday (December 13th) against the Detroit Red Wings.