Key keywords: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars, NHL injury update, 2023-2024 NHL regular season, Penguins lineup adjustment, upper-body injury, Stanley Cup playoff race, NHL game preview The Pittsburgh Penguins confirmed hours before their Tuesday night road matchup against the Dallas Stars that franchise cornerstones Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will be sidelined due to upper-body injuries, dealing a massive blow to the team’s lineup amid a tight Stanley Cup playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Crosby, the 36-year-old future Hall of Fame center, exited the Penguins’ 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets last Saturday halfway through the third period after taking an awkward hit along the boards from Columbus defenseman Erik Gudbranson. Initial assessments showed no structural damage, but the Penguins medical team opted to hold him out of the Dallas game to avoid exacerbating the injury, with his status listed as day-to-day moving forward. The 3-time Stanley Cup champion has recorded 72 points in 61 games this season, leading the Penguins in scoring and remaining one of the most consistent performers across the entire league. Malkin, who has notched 52 points in 58 games this season, has been dealing with lingering upper-body soreness for the past two weeks, per head coach Mike Sullivan. The 37-year-old Russian center played through the discomfort in the previous three games, but reported increased stiffness after Sunday’s practice, prompting the team to shut him down for the Dallas contest as a precautionary measure. The duo has led the Penguins’ core for 18 consecutive seasons, combining for 6 Stanley Cup titles and 13 All-Star appearances over their careers. “We’re not going to take any unnecessary risks with two of the most important players in the history of this franchise, especially at this point of the season,” Sullivan told reporters during the pregame media availability. “We’ve got enough depth to compete tonight, and we’re optimistic both Sid and Geno will be back in the lineup sooner rather than later.” The Dallas Stars, currently sitting second in the Central Division with a 39-17-9 record, entered the game as heavy favorites following the announcement of Crosby and Malkin’s absence. The Penguins, meanwhile, hold the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with just four points separating them from the ninth-place New York Islanders, making every remaining regular season game critical for their playoff hopes. To fill the gaps left by the two star centers, the Penguins have moved winger Jake Guentzel to the top line center position, while 22-year-old rookie Valtteri Puustinen will make his 10th career NHL start as the second line center. Team officials added that both Crosby and Malkin will be re-evaluated on Wednesday ahead of the Penguins’ next game against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday, and early reports suggest neither injury is expected to keep them out for more than 1 to 2 games.