The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to close out the New York Rangers in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first round playoff series Friday night. If they are going to do it, they will have to win without their leader and future Hall of Fame forward, Sidney Crosby.

On Friday morning, the Penguins ruled Crosby out for Game 6 with an upper-body injury.

Crosby was injured during the second period of the Game 5 loss to the Rangers. This is certainly going to make this interesting. Pittsburgh led the series three games to one and held a lead in Game 5. Now, all of a sudden, if they cannot win at home in Game 6 without their captain, they will have to play a Game 7 on the road.

Crosby reportedly skated Friday morning with Ty Hennes, the team's skating and skills development coach. Apparently, they did not believe he was healthy enough to go.

The Penguins captain took a hit up high by Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba, leaving many wondering if there would be any suspension or ruling from the NHL. Instead, they decided it was a hockey play and would not suspend or fine Trouba.

Pittsburgh was rolling in this series until the injury to Crosby. They had won Game 3 and Game 4 by a combined score of 14-6. Shortly after leaving the ice with the injury, the Penguins took a 2-0 lead. From that point on, the Rangers score five unanswered goals.

News that he has been ruled out ahead of their game Friday night is sure to light a fire under the Rangers. Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin will have to take the lead as Crosby was one of the leading point men in the playoffs with two goals and seven assists.