Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin scratched for Penguins' matchup against Capitals

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without their dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin when they host the Washington Capitals on April 11, 2026. The team announced the scratches just hours before puck drop, citing day-to-day injuries for both stars—Crosby with a lower-body issue and Malkin with an upper-body ailment. This decision robs fans of the 100th career meeting between Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, two of the NHL’s all-time greats.

Pittsburgh sits comfortably in second place in the Metropolitan Division with three games left, having clinched a playoff spot two days earlier with a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. The Penguins’ depth will be tested in this afternoon tilt at PPG Paints Arena, as several other key players join Crosby and Malkin on the sidelines.

Penguins’ injury report runs deep

Crosby has been sidelined recently after injuring his knee while representing Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics. He missed a full month before returning, only to face this latest setback. Malkin, meanwhile, has battled various health issues throughout the season, sitting out nearly 20 games already.

The scratches extend beyond the top line. Pittsburgh will also sit forwards Ben Kindel and Bryan Rust, along with defensemen Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, and Parker Wotherspoon. This leaves significant gaps in scoring, playmaking, and defensive stability.

• Sidney Crosby: Day-to-day, lower-body injury
• Evgeni Malkin: Day-to-day, upper-body injury
• Bryan Rust: Scratched
• Ben Kindel: Scratched
• Kris Letang: Scratched
• Erik Karlsson: Scratched
• Parker Wotherspoon: Scratched

These absences come at a time when the Penguins were riding high, with Crosby and Malkin contributing key points in their playoff-clinching win over New Jersey. Earlier in the season, the Penguins navigated similar challenges.

The Olympic schedule disrupted rosters league-wide, and Pittsburgh felt the impact post-tournament. With playoffs looming, coach Mike Sullivan must lean on younger players and reserves to maintain momentum.

Missing the Crosby-Ovechkin century mark

The Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry has defined the Penguins-Capitals matchup for two decades. This game marked their 100th head-to-head encounter, a milestone now delayed indefinitely. Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, entered with his Capitals clinging to slim postseason hopes.

Without Crosby, the intensity dips, but Ovechkin remains a focal point. The Russian star has chased Wayne Gretzky’s goal record relentlessly, and a strong finish could propel Washington into the dance. Penguins fans recall classic battles, like playoff series where these icons traded goals and hits.

Pittsburgh’s rest strategy makes sense with their seeding secure. Yet, it underscores the toll of a long season plus Olympics. Crosby’s profile highlights his durability, but at 38, caution prevails.

The delay adds intrigue—will the 100th happen in the playoffs? History suggests these stars often deliver in big moments.

Penguins lock in playoff positioning

Two nights ago, Pittsburgh sealed their first postseason berth since 2022 with a convincing 5-2 win at New Jersey. Malkin tallied a goal and assist, Crosby dished two helpers, and Letang chipped in—ironically, all now sidelined.

This victory, coupled with results elsewhere, locked the Penguins into second in the Metro. Three games remain, providing a chance to rest veterans and build momentum. Their recent form includes a rout of Florida, where Malkin notched a hat trick.

Sullivan praised the group’s resilience post-Devils: “We’ve got depth, and everyone’s stepping up.” The clinch ends a two-year drought, reigniting hopes in Pittsburgh.

With home-ice advantage likely secured, focus shifts to health management. Expect lineup experimentation against Washington.

Capitals fight for survival

Washington enters mathematically alive but needing miracles: win out and favorable results. Ovechkin leads the charge, his goal-scoring prowess vital in crunch time.

The Capitals’ projected lineup shows few major injuries, giving them a full-throttle approach. A win in Pittsburgh boosts spirits ahead of their finale.

Pittsburgh’s absences could level the ice, offering Washington a golden opportunity. Yet, the Penguins’ depth has proven resilient all season.

This game tests both: Penguins’ bench strength, Capitals’ desperation.

The Penguins-Capitals clash highlights late-season stakes, even without stars. Pittsburgh prioritizes health for a deep playoff run, while Washington battles for relevance. Expect a gritty affair that previews potential postseason drama—win or lose, Penguins fans eye the bigger prize ahead.