The Pittsburgh Penguins got some welcomed news on Friday, while the New York Islanders Stanley Cup hopes just got a little harder. The Islanders were already shutout by the Penguins in Game 1 and they will now have to deal with the return of Sidney Crosby in Game 2. The captain has been announced to be returning for his first game since suffering a broken jaw. Pittsburgh will now have their best player back in the lineup.
Crosby had been awaiting full medical clearance from team doctors before returning to the ice. He had been cleared to participate in team practice, but was not allowed to see game time. Crosby was forced to sit out the final 12 regular-season games after being hit in the jaw by a hockey puck during the team's game against the Islanders on March 30. His jaw shattered in several places, while he also lost several teeth. Crosby had surgery to repair the break, but it had not healed enough for him to see action in Game 1. He will be wearing a plastic shield to protect his jaw when he gets back on the ice on Friday.
"I'm cleared to play. I'm excited to get back in there and play in the playoffs. The doctor was around and I wasn't sure if he would give me the OK or even consider it. I'm happy that he did and happy to be back. He's comfortable with me getting hit at this point. That's the biggest thing. He has to be comfortable putting me out there. To hear him say that allows me to be comfortable too," Crosby said.
The MVP candidate took his normal line spot during the team's morning skate. He played at center while also seeing time with the team's power-play unit. Crosby said it will take some adjusting after missing a long period of time but that he is excited and ready. Prior to getting injured, Crosby was the leading Hart Trophy candidate, but was eventually jumped by Alex Ovechkin.
After being shutout in Game 1, the Islanders are desperate for a win, something that may be hard to come by with Crosby back. The team was unable to get any significant pressure on the Penguins, often looking lost on the ice. The team vows to not dwell on the loss, nothing that is was only Game 1 of a seven-game series.