Penguins to be without Crosby

Mar 25, 2008 - 5:55 AM UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins again were without superstar Sidney Crosby for Monday's game against the New York Islanders.

Crosby accompanied the team to New York after participating in the Penguins' pregame skate on Saturday, fueling speculation that he would return to the lineup against the Islanders.

But after Monday's pregame practice, Crosby told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that he was not ready to return. He did not rule out the possibility of playing in Tuesday's contest at New Jersey.

The Penguins squandered a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a 4-1 loss to the Islanders, who have been officially eliminated.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner, Crosby missed 21 games after suffering a sprained right ankle while crashing into the boards against the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 18.

Crosby, the league's leading scorer at the time of his injury, returned on March 4. He may have come back too soon, however, as soreness in the ankle forced him to sit again after playing in just three contests.

The 20-year-old has missed the Penguins last five games, including Saturday's 7-1 rout of the Devils that moved Pittsburgh into first place in the Atlantic Division.

The Penguins have thrived without Crosby mainly due to the play of 21-year-old right wing Evgeni Malkin, who recorded two goals and an assist in Saturday's rout of the Devils.

Malkin went over the century mark in points with 102 and is battling Washington's Alex Ovechkin (106 points) for the scoring title.