Crosby out of NHL All-Star game

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby will miss his third consecutive NHL All-Star game because of injury, the Penguins said Monday.

Crosby has been out of the lineup for most of the month as he recovers from a concussion. As a result, he'll skip next Sunday's All-Star game in Raleigh, N.C.

"Sidney is making progress in his recovery but still is not completely symptom-free," said Pittsburgh General Manager Ray Shero in a statement. "The Penguins organization has decided that he will not attend NHL All-Star Weekend and instead will continue to relax and recuperate in the hopes of returning to our lineup soon."

The team said it is unclear when Crosby suffered the injury but it could have occurred in games Jan. 1 or Jan. 5. He's missed the last eight games.

Crosby leads the Penguins with 32 goals and 66 points but the time off has cost Crosby the league lead in goals and points as Steven Stamkos of Tampa Bay has taken over the top spot with 38 goals and 67 points.

Crosby, 23, was the leading vote getter in fan All-Star balloting each of the last two seasons. He was selected to the team for the first time in 2007 and was named an all-star in 2008 and 2009 but couldn't play because he was hurt. There was no NHL All-Star game in 2010 because of the Winter Olympics.