Penguins’ Sidney Crosby out indefinitely with broken jaw

Sidney Crosby, who was hit in the face with a puck on a deflected shot, will be out indefinitely with a broken jaw, the team announced on its website Sunday.

Crosby was struck in the face in the second minute of a 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday. He left the game under his own power but lost several teeth and required oral surgery, the team reported.

The NHL’s leading scorer, who missed all but 22 games last season and 41 games the season before with concussion problems, will require more surgery later in the week.

“Sidney Crosby underwent surgery Saturday night for a broken jaw and will be out indefinitely,” Sam Kasan, director of content, reported on the website. “The Penguins will have an update on the time frame later this week.”

Crosby, who has 15 goals and a league-leading 41 assists this season, was to the side of the goal when teammate Brooks Oprik unleashed a hard slap shot from above the slot (see video below). An Islander deflected the puck, which flew under the visor on Crosby’s helmet and struck him near the mouth.

“When you see the replay, he had no chance to move,” said teammate Jarome Iginla, who made his Penguins debut Saturday after Pittsburgh acquired him in a trade with the Calgary Flames. “He didn’t see it hit him. It’s a very, very unfortunate play.”

The Penguins have won 15 consecutive games, two short of the record the franchise set in 1992-93 with Mario Lemieux leading the way.

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