Penguins' Crosby out with broken jaw

Pittsburgh • Sidney Crosby has a broken jaw and is out indefinitely after being hit in the mouth with a puck during a win against the New York Islanders on Saturday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins said on the team website Sunday that Crosby had surgery Saturday night, and there will be an update on his status later in the week.

Crosby, the NHL's leading scorer, was struck in the face during the first period of the Penguins' 2-0 win. Slow-motion replays showed multiple teeth flying out of his mouth after the puck struck him during his first shift. The team said Crosby had "major dental work" and will have more done later in the week.

The Penguins have won 15 straight games, and next play Buffalo on Tuesday.

Crosby has 56 points (15 goals, 41 assists) and holds a 10-point lead in the scoring race. He has not missed a game yet this season after being limited to 22 regular-season games over the prior two calendar years because of concussion-like symptoms and neck issues after absorbing big hits in consecutive games Jan. 1 and Jan. 5, 2011.

Midway through his comeback season, Crosby said he was feeling so good he "doesn't even think about" the risk of concussion or head or neck injury anymore after two years in which it dominated his life. Teammates expressed similar sentiments.

Led by Crosby, the NHL's leading MVP candidate in this lockout-abbreviated season, the Penguins (28-8) have a league-best 56 points and opened up a seven-point lead on the Montreal Canadiens atop the Eastern Conference on Saturday.

The playoffs are scheduled to begin April 30.

After a shot from teammate Brooke Orpik deflected off an Islanders player Saturday, Crosby was struck as he faced away from the net while standing low and to the inside of the left-wing circle.