Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby returns after injury

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby returned to practice on Saturday after missing Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers.

Crosby’s return to practice after suffering a concussion in Game 5 was encouraging for Pittsburgh, but his health for Game 7 on Sunday is still unknown.

Crosby suffered a concussion early in the second period of Game 5 on Wednesday, departing the game after being smacked in the face by Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba while competing for puck possession.

Crosby exited with a 2-0 lead in the game and a 3-1 series advantage, but his team would lose Games 5 and 6 to force a winner-take-all Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Crosby is claimed to be in “excellent spirits” and will travel with the club to New York, despite Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan’s noncommittal on his status for Sunday.

Crosby is in a good position, according to Sullivan. “He’s doing everything he can to get himself back and ready as soon as possible. We’ll see how things progress.”

Crosby’s return would be a huge boost for the Penguins, since he has been a dominant force in their semifinal series against the Rangers.

Crosby has two goals and nine points through four and a half games.

When Crosby has been on the ice, the Penguins have outscored the Rangers’ scoring trio of Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Frank Vatrano 4-0 in five-on-five action.

Furthermore, Crosby is the type of player that thrives in Game 7 situations. Crosby has two goals and three helpers in seven career Game 7s.