PITTSBURGH _ He's back. And he's still pretty good.
Sidney Crosby made his much-awaited return Tuesday, scoring a goal and piling up four points in a 7-3 win over the Minnesota Wild at PPG Paints Arena.
Crosby had not played since Nov. 9 and had sports hernia surgery Nov. 14, exactly two months to the day before the captain returned to the Penguins' lineup. This was the fourth time in his career that he missed more than 20 games in a row.
The Penguins posted an 18-6-4 record without Crosby, including their recent road trip that saw them go 3-0 against top Western Conference teams in Vegas, Colorado and Arizona. They had a league-high .714 points percentage over that span.
Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust had 38 and 31 points, respectively. Jake Guentzel was a consistent threat before going down, making his first All-Star team. Tristan Jarry has been unbelievable. But it's been more than just a few guys. Entering the day, the Penguins had an NHL-high eight players with 10 or more goals.
"The team's played great," Crosby said following the team's morning skate while declaring that he was ready to roll. "And I just want to come in and help."
They played great again Tuesday, and Crosby had a little something to do with that.
Crosby's line, which had Jared McCann and Dominik Simon on his wings, started the game. Needless to say, when public address announcer Ryan Mill belted out the starting lineup, vocal cords were strained inside PPG Paints Arena.
Coach Mike Sullivan said those fans are day-to-day with upper-body injuries.
A few minutes into the game, Crosby pivoted while protecting the puck from Wild defenseman Ryan Suter before nearly sneaking a shot by Devan Dubnyk.
The Penguins got on the board with a power-play goal 7:57 into the first period. Crosby crossed the Wild blue line with speed, putting the penalty-killers on their heels. Three passes later, Malkin poked the puck into an open net. Crosby earned the secondary assist on the opening goal, his first point since Oct. 29.
With one of their prettiest passing plays of the season, the Penguins pushed their lead to 2-0. As Crosby headed to the bench, McCann dropped the puck to rookie John Marino. He sent a pass over to Simon, who set up McCann for a tap-in.
Rust made it 3-0 with his 19th goal of the season, a new career high. During the second period, Malkin charged down the left wing, drawing two defenders, before sliding the puck back to Rust. The red-hot winger snapped it past Dubnyk. Rust also picked up his 39th point of the season, another career best.
Moments later, Crosby tallied another assist when the Penguins scored their second power-play goal of the night. Malkin was credited with that one.
Of course, Crosby, who has always had a flair for the dramatic, got one himself. In the third period, he tried to send a pass across the crease to Simon. It hit Wild blue-liner Matt Dumba's stick and changed course through Dubnyk's legs.
Before the memorable night was over, Crosby swooped behind the net with Ryan Donato on his tail. He hit the brakes, banked the puck off the back of the net and turned the other way. He spotted Simon, who wasn't missing that one.
Crosby getting his fourth point on that play was nice. But it was also encouraging, given how tricky the recovery process after sports hernia surgery can be, that he shielded the puck as he stopped on a dime before darting the other way.
He began skating in an individual setting about five weeks ago. His first practice with the team was Jan. 1. He's been ramping up his participation ever since.
"It's a slow process, just as far as getting each step in and feeling good at each point," said Crosby, who has 17 points in 17 games. "That's the biggest thing."
The Penguins brought him along on their recent road trip. During their week out west, Crosby got in three on-ice workouts, one in a team setting. That practice Saturday in Arizona was his first without contact restrictions. Crosby, after some consideration, was ruled out for Sunday's 4-3 shootout win in Arizona.
"You always communicate with the training staff and doctors and everybody kind of weighs in," he said. "And ultimately, when you feel good enough, it comes to that point (when you are cleared). Those are pretty daily conversations."
With the Wild gassed, Alex Galchenyuk added his fifth goal of the season late.
The Wild played the entirety of the game with only five natural defensemen due to a mishap when submitting its lineup. The start of the game was delayed as the officials huddled. They then made Greg Pateryn, who was listed as a scratch on the official lineup sheet, leave the Wild bench and go to the locker room.
Jarry, starting his second straight game, made 26 saves to earn the win.
The Penguins will visit Boston on Thursday, then Detroit the following day.
