Sid the Kid returns to game action tonight at MSG in New York
Posted Mar 15, 2012 07:39:23 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The best player in the league returns to the lineup of a team that has already won 9 straight games and is challenging for the first overall seed in the Eastern Conference.
News of Sidney Crosby’s impending return to the Penguins lineup has left a few of the GM’s in wondering how much tougher the path to the Stanley Cup Final will be now that Sidney Crosby is rejoining his teammates.
“They’re obviously, I think, the best team in the league,” said New York Rangers GM Glen Sather on Wednesday. “With him back, it’s certainly going to make it a lot more difficult.”
Crosby will see his first game action since December 5th when Pittsburgh (42-21-5) visits the Rangers at Madison Square Garden tonight.
New York (44-18-7) is currently the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and sit just six points up on the surging Penguins.
Crosby has been sidelined for more than three months after concussion-like symptoms resurfaced in early December.
The first time he returned to the lineup, he collected 12 points in just 8 games after making his season debut against the New York Islanders on November 21st.
That return included a glorious 4 point opening night…
He went back on Injured Reserve when the symptoms returned following a loss to the Bruins on December 5th.
The 24-year-old former MVP was cleared for contact a week ago.
Now, Crosby joins a Penguins team that has won 9 straight games and appears to be peaking at just the right time.
Adding the best player in hockey to that mix is a scary thing for opponents.
“It’s not like they needed help,” said Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren.
