Asked how the Penguins can replace Sidney Crosby while he's sidelined with the injury he sustained at the Olympics, Dan Muse first stated the obvious.

"I mean, you don't replace him," Muse said.

"It's on everybody just to be able to continue to raise their game, for us to continue to raise our collective game," Muse continued. "This is the reality of sports. There are injuries, but it's now on opportunity for us, opportunity for others, for guys within the line up there to go out there and attack that opportunity and make the most of it."

Four weeks without Crosby is a long time, especially as the Penguins enter the toughest stretch of their season, as far as the frequency of games and also the quality of their opponents. Regardless, Crosby is optimistic that when he is ready to get back into the lineup, the team will be in a good place.

"I'm confident," he said. "I think we've shown all year, we've had injuries and guys have stepped up to get to where we're at at this point. I think it's because of our team play. I don't think it's been any one person. I think it's because collectively as a group, we found different ways to win, and different guys have stepped up. So as long as we continue that and understand that, then I think we give ourselves a good chance. But it's going to be an important stretch here the next little bit. A lot of teams are trying to get points and in similar positions. But I think I'm just really confident, as far as that's concerned."