Crosby......

[LittleHockeyFan]

cleared for contact. Meaning he could play as soon as Sunday, per the Star
http://www.thestar.com/breakingnews/article/1141787--pittsburgh-penguins-superstar-sidney-crosby-cleared-for-contact?bn=1

 

[nutman]

Oh my pitt just became a bit harder to beat.

 

[Deebo]

If he can play at even 50% of his top ability and stay in the lineup for the playoffs, I'd call them cup favourites.

That centre depth + Neal, Letang and Fleury would be pretty hard to deal with.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Looking forward to some good news coming out of the Crosby camp.  Finally!  Let's hope all goes well for him, for talents sake!

 

[Peter D.]

He'll be back on Thursday.

With Crosby back, and Letang possibly soon to follow, Pittsburgh may re-establish itself as the team to beat in the East.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

He'll be back on Thursday.

With Crosby back, and Letang possibly soon to follow, Pittsburgh may re-establish itself as the team to beat in the East.

Only four points out of first with those two added to the lineup, I'd agree with you.

 

[maplesyrup]

He'll be back on Thursday.

With Crosby back, and Letang possibly soon to follow, Pittsburgh may re-establish itself as the team to beat in the East.

Only four points out of first with those two added to the lineup, I'd agree with you.

Yeah, I'm on board. I'd actually be pulling for then to make it out of the East... But anyone but Boston really. Even if it's the Sens. *runs away*

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Pittsburgh already has the best player in the game, and now they're adding Sidney Crosby?

Game over man.

 

[Zee]

Pittsburgh already has the best player in the game, and now they're adding Sidney Crosby?

Game over man.

A lot can change between now and the Stanley Cup presentation.  Teams have to stay relatively healthy, Pittsburgh included.  But yeah, they look like the team to beat right now.

 

[Corn Flake]

Yeah, I'm on board. I'd actually be pulling for then to make it out of the East... But anyone but Boston really. Even if it's the Sens. *runs away*

you should be running after that suggestion.

 

[pnjunction]

Pittsburgh already has the best player in the game, and now they're adding Sidney Crosby?

Game over man.

I don't know how many times have we seen teams who are humming along get an important player back from injury and then actually cool down?  I can't remember specific instances but it seems like that happens often enough.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Pittsburgh already has the best player in the game, and now they're adding Sidney Crosby?

Game over man.

I don't know how many times have we seen teams who are humming along get an important player back from injury and then actually cool down?  I can't remember specific instances but it seems like that happens often enough.

Leafs when Sundin came back in the play offs against Carolina?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Pittsburgh already has the best player in the game, and now they're adding Sidney Crosby?

Game over man.

I don't know how many times have we seen teams who are humming along get an important player back from injury and then actually cool down?  I can't remember specific instances but it seems like that happens often enough.

Sure, my post was mostly just so I could quote Bill Paxton. I don't have the stats in front of me, but I'm fairly certain it's been shown that Malkin actually produces significantly more with Crosby out of the line-up than in. So it'll be interesting how that plays out as Malkin is probably the favourite for the Hart right now.

 

[Peter D.]

A big concern is that this turns into a daily "is this the hit that ends Crosby's career" watch.  I really hope the concussions are a thing of the past for him and he can withstand the rigours of crunch time and the playoffs.  We just know he is going to be targeted. 

 

[Zee]

Pittsburgh already has the best player in the game, and now they're adding Sidney Crosby?

Game over man.

I don't know how many times have we seen teams who are humming along get an important player back from injury and then actually cool down?  I can't remember specific instances but it seems like that happens often enough.

Sure, my post was mostly just so I could quote Bill Paxton. I don't have the stats in front of me, but I'm fairly certain it's been shown that Malkin actually produces significantly more with Crosby out of the line-up than in. So it'll be interesting how that plays out as Malkin is probably the favourite for the Hart right now.

And a damn fine quote it is too, I used it often in real life.  ;D

 

[Jalili]

A big concern is that this turns into a daily "is this the hit that ends Crosby's career" watch.  I really hope the concussions are a thing of the past for him and he can withstand the rigours of crunch time and the playoffs.  We just know he is going to be targeted.

Absolutely. Even when you aren't his biggest fan, the game isn't the same without him.

 

[Corn Flake]

Are the media bringing their collective circus to the game on Thursday?

Oh yes. Yes they are. *gag*

Move over Peyton Manning coverage...

 

[hockeyfan1]

Good game overall for Crosby in his return against the Rangers in New York.  He not only assisted on one goal, but was on the ice for three of the Penguins five goals.  He was booed mercilessly as Ranger fans were "baying for blood". 

The Pens are a healthy team (no injuries), and with Crosby back, will be more than a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.

Way to go, Sid!

 

[TheMightyOdin]

The team was humming along pretty well without him. I think he should of just taken the rest of the year and playoffs off. Focus on being 100% for the start of next season.

I can't help but think of Lindros and what Stevens did to him when he came back.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The team was humming along pretty well without him. I think he should of just taken the rest of the year and playoffs off. Focus on being 100% for the start of next season.

I can't help but think of Lindros and what Stevens did to him when he came back.

In a way, I agree, too, on Crosby taking the entire season off.  Playoffs inclusive?  Dunno.  I would have pegged his return to be at or near playoff time.  Not this soon, just a scant few games before season's end.  Otherwise, Crosby should have just returned next season, fresh and raring to go.

One problem.  Should Pittsburgh have won the Cup, so to speak, sans Crosby, Sid would have been kicking himself for not returning soon enough.  Maybe that's why he was so eager to return now.