Penguins center Sidney Crosby left the team's optional morning skate early on Wednesday with a sore groin and will not play in Pittsburgh's matchup against the New York Islanders at Mellon Arena at 7:30 p.m.

"It doesn't feel good enough to go," Crosby said. "Hopefully, it will improve."

Crosby injured his groin in Sunday's contest at Washington. He participated in the team's practice the past two days, but left Tuesday's practice at Southpointe after a few minutes on the ice.

"Sunday against Washington it was a little sore," he said. "Monday, it was pretty much the same but I was hoping it would go away. There was only so much time to practice with the new coach so I tried to get through that. It was more sore (Tuesday). It just hasn't improved a whole lot."

Crosby will be cautious with the injury and is listed as day-to-day.

"Dealing with a groin is a little more serious," said Crosby, who has missed one game this season with an injury, Jan. 16 vs. Anaheim. "Everyone gets aches and pains, bumps and bruises and stuff like that. When you're dealing with a groin and you're not seeing it get a whole lot better it's kind of a red flag. You have to make sure you take care of that.

"It's never easy. I have to find a way to make sure I get back in there as soon as possible."

Defenseman Kris Letang is back in the lineup for Pittsburgh after being a healthy scratch in the team's last three games. He will replace Ryan Whitney, who left the team for personal reasons.

"He has some family matters that he needs to attend to for the next couple of days," interim head coach Dan Bylsma said. "He's gone back home. The plan right now is for him to meet us in Chicago."