Fansided

Report: Sidney Crosby to make season debut vs. Panthers

By David Rouben

Oct 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the Stanley Cup prior to playing the Washington Capitals at the PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the Stanley Cup prior to playing the Washington Capitals at the PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby only missed six games due to a concussion, and is coming back at the perfect time.

He’s baaack. After taking two weeks off due to a concussion, Sidney Crosby will return to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ lineup looking to wreak havoc on the rest of the NHL. According to NBC Sports, the center will suit up for the first time this season against the Florida Panthers.

He made significant strides in practice, even participating in a full-contact practice just yesterday. Some fans may be concerned that he’s back this early. Crosby has had a history of concussion problems, which have robbed him of some of his prime years. But it’s because of that that the Penguins were in no rush to hurry him back.

If they’re choosing to play him now, that must mean he’s at least ready to step on the ice. Being the fierce competitor that he is, there’s no way he was going to miss any more time.

Crosby’s return comes at the perfect time for the Penguins. After back-stopping them to the Stanley Cup in his rookie year, Matt Murray is still sidelined, although Marc-Andre Fleury has played admirably in his stead. And Kris Letang, another great player with injury problems, recently got hurt again. There’s no word yet on how severe it is.

Any Penguins fan that watched the World Cup of Hockey saw that Crosby was the best player on the ice almost every time. He’ll be a huge boost to the Pens’ lineup, particularly for his linemates Scott Wilson and Patric Hornqvist. The only time he’s stepped onto the ice this season was when the Penguins raised their Stanley Cup banner. Crosby lifted the Cup in front of the Washington Capitals to rub it in their face even further.

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As things stand, Crosby has some serious catching up to do in the scoring race. He trails Connor McDavid by nine points, who is on the verge of a breakout campaign. Eventually, there will be a passing of the torch moment between him and McDavid. But as long as he’s in his prime, he’s not ready to give up the title of “best player in the world” just yet.

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