Sidney Crosby to Lead Pittsburgh Penguins to Next Stanley Cup?
Sidney Crosby returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday, leading his team to a victory over the New York Rangers. His successful return continued through Saturday, revealing strong chemistry and hopeful prospects for the Penguins.
Crosby has suffered from severe concussion issues since the beginning of the season, missing the first 20 games. After an 8 game return, Crosby took leave again in December and did not return to the ice until Thursday. His first game against the Rangers was a successful start, with a 5-2 win in which Crosby gained 2 assists.
The chemistry between Crosby and both Matt Cooke and Evengi Malkin could pose a serious threat to other NHL teams in the Eastern Conference. Crosby gained another three assists over the weekend, while notching another 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils. Cooke has scored four times since Crosby's return.
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While the Penguin's are planning a slow return for the team's captain, playing him only a limited amount of minutes for now to ease him back into the game, the center is still scoring record points.
"Crosby's 3-point night gave him 5 points in two games since returning, and 17 on the year. That puts him on pace for 34 points in this injury-shortened campaign. If that doesn't blow your mind, consider: Crosby is averaging 1.7 points per game this season, far and away the best in the NHL," Yahoo Sports reported.
Yahoo writer, Harrison Mooney, regarded those numbers as stunning. "Granted, we're drawing from a 10-game sample size and you'd have to expect him to tail off a little (right?... right?), but the guy has missed nearly a full calendar year of hockey and, through 10 games, he's producing at the highest point per game pace since Mario Lemieux posted a 1.76 PPG in 2000-01."
The Penguins also gained back high scoring defensemen Kristopher Letang Thursday, who could be equally as essential to the Penguins' victory in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins' next game will be Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets.
