The Pittsburgh Penguins placed star forward Sidney Crosby on the injured reserve list Monday.
Crosby injured his right ankle during the Penguins' 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. Crosby was originally diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, which can sideline an athlete for a month or more, but the Penguins will receive an update on his condition when he is re-examined by team doctors on Tuesday.
By being placed on the injured reserve list, Crosby is guaranteed to be out of the Penguins lineup for at least seven days.
Monday's procedural move allows the Penguins to call up a forward from their American Hockey League affiliate for their final two games before the all-star break. Pittsburgh wasted little time in recalling forwards Chris Minard, Tim Brent and Jonathan Filewich from the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Pittsburgh forward Adam Hall (groin) also went on the injured list Monday, and defenceman Ryan Lannon was sent down to Wilkes-Barre after not playing in any games during his two weeks with the NHL club.
Crosby was carrying the puck Friday in the Lightning end of the rink when Tampa Bay defenceman Paul Ranger slashed Crosby as he attempted a shot from the right circle. Crosby swiped at the puck again as he landed on the ice, rear-end first.
His momentum caused him to slam into the boards awkwardly with his right leg, his left leg raised, apparently unable to cushion himself as he normally might.
Crosby initially got to his feet and began to limp toward the Penguins bench, only to turn around and enter a doorway that leads to the tunnel to the Penguins' locker room. He bent over after reaching the walkway and had to be helped to the dressing room.
Ranger was called for slashing on the play.
The injury will keep Crosby, the leading vote-getter in the all-star balloting, out of Sunday's NHL all-star game in Atlanta (CBC, 6 p.m. ET).
The Penguins take on the Washington Capitals on Monday night and will face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night before being off for four days for the all-star break.
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