On Friday morning, Sidney Crosby took to the ice in a black jersey to practice with his teammates on the Pittsburgh Penguins. The color was significant, indicating he was to be treated like any other forward. His yellow non-contact jersey was ditched.
“I feel good,” Crosby said at the team’s training facility in Cranberry, Pennsylvania. “Right now I’m just doing what I’m told to do.”
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Sid being Sid. … also reason why speculating about concussions is a Waste. Of. Time. #pens pic.twitter.com/CAj7qPdHAY
— Will Graves (@WillGravesAP) May 5, 2017
Crosby, a 2017 Hart Trophy nominee, was injured when he was cross-checked in the face in Game Three on Monday.
If he returns for Game Five, which is Saturday night at Verizon Center, it would be a remarkably fast turnaround for a player who has suffered — to the best of our knowledge — five concussions, including two this season.
Crosby fully participated in practice, skating on the first line, taking contact, making the elite moves we are used to seeing from him
“Sid is a very intelligent young man and he will make the right decision,” Capitals head coach Barry Trotz said, referring to Crosby’s status for Saturday’s game.
Whether the superstar plays depends on how Crosby, 29, feels after those taking bumps and hits, which is why the team continues to refer to his injury status as day-to-day.
“We’ll see how he responds and we’ll go from there,” Sullivan said, indicating the Pens medical staff would make the final call.
With the Penguins up 3-1 in the series, Pittsburgh will be cautious with the health of perhaps the best player in the world.
“Having gone though this I’m aware of my body,” Crosby said. “I trust the staff and process. When I’m ready I’ll be back.”
When asked whether he would play in Game 5, Crosby said “I wouldn’t rule it out.” The puck drops at 7:15 PM at Verizon Center.
Headline photo: Patrick Smith
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