Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby returned to the ice Thursday morning, suiting up in full gear while his club enjoyed an off day.
According to Josh Yohe of DK Pittsburgh Sports, Crosby’s on-ice participation at the Penguins’ practice facility came alongside Carl Hagelin and Conor Sheary, the latter also recovering from a concussion following a Game 3 collision with teammate Patric Hornqvist. Netminder Matt Murray, who was injured during the pre-game skate of the team’s playoff opener, skated as well.
Head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Crosby’s presence at the skate, but offered no further information regarding a timeline for the captain’s potential return.
“He is in the process of rehabbing. We’ll leave it at that,” Sullivan said on a conference call, according to the team. “It’s a day-to-day process.”
Crosby was forced out of Game 3 of Pittsburgh’s second-round series with the Washington Capitals after absorbing a cross-check to the head from Capitals defender Matt Niskanen five minutes into the first period. The Penguins captain and reigning Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy-winner remained down on the ice in discomfort before being helped to the locker room.
He did not return to the tilt, and was subsequently diagnosed with a concussion, confirming the fears of the Penguins faithful. The two-time Stanley Cup champion has endured three previous concussion diagnoses in his career, the third occurring just prior to the beginning of the 2016-17 season.
While Crosby missed Game 4 as a result of his latest concussion, Sullivan suggested his captain is “upbeat and positive,” while the team is hopeful he’ll be able to return during the post-season.
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