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On Wednesday, superstar center Sidney Crosby began to participate in full-contact, on-ice drills at the Consol Engergy Center in Pittsburgh.
He made it through okay, with no setbacks, and now the countdown is on for when he will take the ice for his first game back.
He proved earlier in the season that his conditioning has been maintained, despite his post-concussion issues, by his rigorous on- and off-ice routines.
Clearly, he is motivated to get back on the ice in full form and at a super-high level equivalent to the first time he returned this season on November 21, 2011 against the New York Islanders.
Dave Molinari of The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette took a close look at how the lineup may and may not be altered when Crosby returns.
Such caution is understandable, although his coach, Dan Bylsma, acknowledged that he has spent a little time pondering precisely where Crosby will fit in once he returns.
"I think it's natural to have thought long before [Tuesday] who would play [with Crosby], where he would play, what line he would play on," Bylsma said. "I've certainly given a lot of thought to that.
"I've had conversations with Sidney about that, as well. When we have a time where he's going to be [closer to participating in games], we'll have a better idea, or you'll see what that might be."
Bylsma did not identify Crosby's potential linemates, but did not sound as if he's interested by breaking up the Chris Kunitz-Evgeni Malkin-James Neal line.
"Kunitz and Malkin and Neal have played spectacular and been possibly the best line in hockey for two months, 2 1/2 months," he said.
If I was a betting man, I would bet Crosby will play between Steve Sullivan and Pascal Dupuis.
Crosby also had a lengthy chat with NBC Sports' Pierre McGuire. Judging from Crosby's facial expressions and body language, he is angling toward coming back on Sunday for NBC's Game of the Week.
See the two part interview here:
Part 1:
Part 2:
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