Penguins forward Sidney Crosby returns to practice

Penguins forward Sidney Crosby participated in an optional practice in Cranberry on Saturday, a handful of days after suffering a presumed head injury.

Sidelined since being struck on a high hit by New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba on Wednesday in Game 5 of an ongoing first-round playoff series, Crosby appeared to be a full participant in what was a limited practice in terms of contact and duration.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan deemed Crosby “day to day” following the practice and stopped short of offering any kind of status with regards to Game 7 in New York on Sunday.

“He’s in good spirits,” Sullivan said of Crosby. “He’s in a good place. He’s doing his very best to get himself back and ready as quickly as he can. We’ll see how that process goes. I think anytime he’s on the ice, I think it’s good for our team, it’s good for our players, it’s good for our morale and that’s certainly a boost for our guys.”

Despite missing Game 6 of the series on Friday, Crosby, who took to the ice on Saturday approximately 20 minutes before practice began, remains the team’s leading scorer with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in four games.

Also present for practice was goaltender Tristan Jarry.

Sidelined since suffering a right foot injury on April 14, Jarry saw the bulk of the shots during the brief practice session while reserve goaltenders Alex D’Orio and Louis Domingue were primarily spectators.

Forward Rickard Rakell, sidelined since suffering a presumed head injury in Game 1 of the series on May 3, was a full participant in the practice.

Sullivan labeled Jarry and Rakell as “day to day” as well.

Notes:

• Forward Brian Boyle and defenseman Brian Dumoulin were not present for practice.

Boyle suffered an undisclosed injury during the first period of Game 6 on Friday. Sullivan did not provide an update on Boyle and indicated he is still being evaluated.

Dumoulin has not played since suffering an undisclosed ailment in Game 1 and has largely been rehabilitating off the ice. Per Sullivan, Dumoulin’s status remains status quo (day to day).

• In addition to Crosby, D’Orio, Domingue, Jarry and Rakell, those who participated in the practice included defensemen Mark Friedman, Kris Letang, John Marino and Chad Ruhwedel and forwards Teddy Blueger, Kasperi Kapanen, Drew O’Connor, Evan Rodrigues and Radim Zahorna.

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