Crosby Is Back and the Penguins Just Sent a Message to the Whole Eastern Conference
Sidney Crosby returned from injury Monday night and the Pittsburgh Penguins absolutely demolished the New York Islanders 8-3. The 38-year-old captain was a game-time decision after missing a few games, but once he got on the ice, he made an immediate impact with a pair of assists. This is exactly the kind of statement win a team needs when the playoff race is this tight.
Crosby Back in the Lineup, Back to Business
Coach Dan Muse had to make the call right after the optional morning skate. Crosby and several other veteran players sat out practice, which meant nobody knew for certain if he'd go until puck drop. But the Penguins captain suited up, centered the top line between Bryan Rust and Egor Chinakhov, and skated 21 shifts for just under 17 minutes of ice time. Not a full workload, but enough to remind everyone why this team needs him healthy down the stretch.
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Crosby missed Saturday's home game against Dallas with a lower-body injury, and he'd also missed the first 11 games after the Olympic break when he hurt his right leg representing Canada in Milan. This latest injury doesn't appear to be the same thing, which is good news. Meanwhile, Evgeni Malkin continues to be sidelined with his own injury issue and is day to day. Pittsburgh ruled him out several hours before puck drop Monday.
Erasing Deficits and Moving Up the Division
The Penguins came into the game in third place in the Metropolitan Division with nine games left on the schedule. They trailed early but erased that multigoal deficit to win big and move into second place. This is a team fighting for their playoff lives. They haven't made the postseason the past three seasons and haven't advanced since 2018, the year after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. Only Crosby, Malkin, and defenseman Kris Letang remain from those championship teams.
With Crosby back and healthy, the Penguins just showed the Eastern Conference they're not ready to go away quietly. The intensity is ramping up now.
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