Sidney Crosby's status remains uncertain for Penguins
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The status of Penguins captain Sidney Crosby remains uncertain as the team concludes its three-game road trip throughout the American west.
Crosby wore typical jersey which indicated full contact during the team’s practice at the Scottsdale Ice Den, the Arizona Coyotes’ practice facility. In addition to working without any limitations with regards to contact, Crosby took part in line rushes working with Jared McCann or Dominik Simon on the left wing and Patric Hornqvist on the right wing.
Additionally, Crosby skated with the team’s top power-play unit along with Hornqvist, forwards Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust and defenseman Kris Letang.
One of the final players to leave the ice, Crosby displayed little in the way of any hindrances from his core muscle injury which has sidelined him since Nov. 9.
Crosby’s offered little insight if he would play Sunday against the Coyotes at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz.
“I haven’t ruled out anything,” Crosby said. “But I haven’t really discussed it that much. I just got off the ice here.”
Coach Mike Sullivan didn’t shed much light on Crosby’s status for Sunday either.
“Well, he obviously had another strong day today so we’re encouraged by his progress,” Sullivan said. “We’ll take each day as it comes, we’ll see how he responds and we’ll make decisions accordingly.”
Crosby did not practice on Thursday in Denver as the team had a scheduled day off then missed a skating session in Denver on Friday due to an illness.
“I’m trying to get as much contact as I can,” Crosby said. “It’s pretty difficult with the practices. It’s too bad I missed that one the other day. It’s just the way it goes. So, yeah, I’m trying to get a little bit of that in when I can.”
“Our schedule - we’re playing so many games - it’s not ideal for trying to get back into the lineup. Getting practices in and the guys who are playing, I think their focus is to get out there, skate and get off and use the rest while you can. So I’m just trying to make the most of the practices with the group.”
There was a brief scare for Crosby during practice when a shot by Hornqvist deflected off a cross bar and struck Crosby’s visor. Crosby was not injured.
“Yeah, hockey gods don’t want me in the lineup right now, I guess,” Crosby quipped. “I’m just glad it didn’t get me in the head. I can look at it two different ways, right? It didn’t hit me in the face and I’m here to talk about it and laugh about it. Yeah, just another bit of adversity in the whole getting back.”
A potential line with McCann would offer a reunion of sorts for Crosby from last season.
After joining the Penguins via trade in February, he found himself on the left wing of a line with Crosby as well as Jake Guentzel and scored 11 goals in 32 games with the Penguins.
“Just his speed stood out immediately,” Crosby said when asked why they clicked as well as they did last season. “And I think once we got to play together and once you start to see his shot. He’s got a great shot. I didn’t realize playing against him then seeing it every day. He shoots the puck a lot and with a shot like that he should. I think his speed opens up a lot but then he’s able to finish.”
“When we use our speed, we’re dangerous,” McCann said. “I feel like that’s something that I feel like we have similiarities. Obivously, I like to shoot the puck and he does a good job of shooting the puck.”
Notes:
-Forward Nick Bjugstad (core muscle) and Justin Schultz (undisclosed) skated after the rest of the team practiced.
The Penguins’ lines and pairs were:
Dominik Kahun – Evgeni Malkin – Bryan Rust
Jared McCann/Dominik Simon – Sidney Crosby – Patric Hornqvist
Zach Aston-Reese – Teddy Blueger – Brandon Tanev
Alex Galchenyuk – Andrew Agozzino/Joseph Blandisi – Sam Lafferty
Jack Johnson – Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson – John Marino
Juuso Riikola – Chad Ruhwedel
Kevin Czuczman rotated in with the other pairs.
The second power-play unit included Agozzino, Kahun, Marino, McCann and Riikola.
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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