Sidney Crosby’s status is uncertain for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ game on Monday night against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena.<\/p>\n
Crosby suffered a lower-body injury against the Ottawa Senators<\/a>\u00a0on March 26. He skated off the ice in the second period and did not return, as Pittsburgh picked up a shootout win. Crosby also missed Saturday’s game at PPG Paints Arena against the Dallas Stars<\/a>, who beat the Penguins 6-3.\u00a0<\/p>\n Crosby returned to practice on Sunday, according to an update from coach Dan Muse. However, Crosby is a game-time decision for Monday’s divisional matchup.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Penguins captain has been in and out of the lineup this season. Crosby missed four weeks after the Olympic break due to a lower-body injury suffered during Team Canada’s quarterfinal win over Team Czechia. He returned to the lineup on March 18 against the\u00a0Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>\u00a0after missing 11 games.\u00a0<\/p>\n Evgeni Malkin update \u00a0<\/p>\n Evgeni Malkin also returned to practice on Sunday, but he will not play in Monday’s game against the Islanders. He has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, and his status remains “day-to-day<\/a>,” the team said.<\/p>\n Penguins playoffs watch<\/p>\n Pittsburgh (36-21-16) has nine regular-season games remaining, as it fights with other Eastern Conference teams for a playoff spot. Heading into Monday’s game, the Penguins are in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 88 points, one point behind the second-place Islanders. The Columbus Blue Jackets have 88 points, and the Philadelphia Flyers have 86 points.\u00a0<\/p>\n After Monday’s game against the Islanders, the Penguins (36-21-16) host the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena.\u00a0<\/p>\n