I finally have to talk about Sid and his concussion.  I’ve been avoiding it hoping he would turn up at practice one day, bringing unicorns and wrist shots and 22-game scoring streaks.  I’d even take back the mustache.  As the silence becomes deafening and the Penguins are dropping like flies, it’s time for a post.

Sitting, waiting, wishing...

Crosby returned home to Nova Scotia last week.  He is in touch with Penguins medical staff regarding his symptoms and progression.  Coach Bylsma said Monday that he hasn’t “had a lot of contact” with Sid and has no timetable for his return.  I guess if there’s nothing to talk about, they don’t hang out on the phone watching Battlestar Glactica reruns like I do with my brother.  Sid will miss his 14th game tonight.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Multiple sources said over the weekend that Crosby would not resume normal exercise activity for seven to 10 days, and that the Penguins do not expect him to play against until at least March.

Of course, Malkin is out big time with tears to both the ACL and MCL in his right knee.  Surgery, season-ending – no one is saying.  But they don’t have to.  Mark Letestu is also out 4-6 weeks with knee surgery.  These two plus Sid have accounted for 34.8% of the Pens offense this season [link].  Yikes.

Once there were a lot of these.

Cue the panic. Sportscasters everywhere are screaming that the sky is falling in Pittsburgh.  The Pens are saying nothing; all they can do is play.  What do you think?  Is it time to count the Penguins out for 2011? Am I being willfully ignorant?

For the record (though it should be obvious), I say hell no.  Everyone told me Sunday to “bet with your smarts, not your heart,” but I don’t care.  Remember when the Capitals were coming apart in 24/7 with their 8 game losing streak?  Remember how hard and sad that looked from the inside on HBO?  This is much worse and the Penguins don’t need fans getting scared.  They need us to stick it out no matter who they can put on the ice each night.  They’ve got a lot of heart and any Boston Red Sox fan can tell you that can be magic.  Think positive, boys. I love you.  You can have my $20 anytime.

Rupper, Staalsy and Tanger (Dawn, look how short Kris' hair is!).

And if you haven’t heard the Story of the Week: Mike Rupp knocked over a fan’s beer from inside the glass, taped $10 to a puck and tossed it to the guy.  This from the man who wore the elf costume.  LOVE. [link]

UPDATE: Really?! Every 3 minutes another Pen gets hurt.  Kunitz out, day-to-day with a lower body injury. They’re going to call me up to the NHL any second now, stick a shirtzee on me a send me out on the ice.