Sidney Crosby has seven goals and 11 points in his last three games.Sidney Crosby has seven goals and 11 points in his last three games. (Harry How/Getty Images)

An injury has accomplished what the rest of the NHL could not: stopping Sidney Crosby.

The league's hottest player will miss Saturday's game in Pittsburgh against the Chicago Blackhawks with a sore groin.

Crosby left the Penguins' morning skate after just five minutes, and later called himself "day-to-day."

"It's something that's been bothering me for three or four days," Crosby said.

"When it's getting worse each day, it's not a good sign. I've missed periods of time over the last few years with groin [injuries] and I kind of know when it's time to take a step back and make sure that I'm careful. I feel like I'm at that point."

The Pittsburgh captain has seven goals and 11 points in his last three games, all Pittsburgh wins. Heading into Saturday's action, he ranks third in the NHL with 36 points and is tied for second with 19 goals.