LAS VEGAS _ Sidney Crosby will not be in the lineup Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. But given how hard he appeared to be pushing himself during his on-ice workout Tuesday morning, it appears his return isn't far off.
The captain skated with injured teammates Nick Bjugstad and Justin Schultz and coaches Ty Hennes and Matt Cullen before the team's morning skate.
At one point, he jokingly asked, "Do you got a defibrillator on the bench?"
Later, Crosby lamented how sloppy they were executing their current drill.
After 45 minutes, Crosby and Bjugstad made way for the Zamboni. Crosby would keep his gear on and join the rest of the Penguins for the morning skate but did not do much, watching as the guys who will suit up against the Golden Knights did line rushes and practiced special teams.
Mike Sullivan was asked if it was conceivable that Crosby could play on this trip. The Penguins will visit Colorado on Friday and then Arizona on Sunday.
"Anything's conceivable," the coach replied. "We're just trying to take each day as it comes and make the best decisions to allow for the rehab process to take place. And when Sid is ready to play, we'll insert him into the lineup."
Sullivan said Crosby won't play until "he's comfortable and confident that he can be at his best." The next step is practicing without contact restrictions. The team will practice Wednesday in Las Vegas and Thursday in Denver. It won't be a surprise if he sheds the non-contract jersey one of those days.
Twice last week, Crosby, who had sports hernia surgery Nov. 14, practiced with the team then cautioned reporters that his return was not imminent.
"I just have to be able to do contact. ... But I'm not ready for that yet," he said Friday. "Until then, I'll probably flip-flop between doing my own stuff (or) skating with the injured guys and going with the team, depending on the practice."
It was noteworthy that one of "the injured guys" on this trip is Schultz, who has been out with a lower-body injury since Dec. 17. Sullivan said Schultz first got back on the ice Monday in Pittsburgh before the Penguins departed. A day later in Vegas, the defenseman cautiously skated for about a half hour.
