Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, widely considered the best player in the NHL, has missed 13 straight games, including Game 1 of Pittsburgh's first round series with the New York Islanders, with a broken jaw suffered in March against these very same Islanders.
According to reports, Crosby is healed up and ready to go for Game 2, which should provide an emotional lift as well as an on-ice pick-me-up that the Penguins likely didn't need. The Penguins had their way with the inexperienced Islanders in Game 1, ravaging them 5-0 and scoring all five goals in the first two periods.
As recently as Thursday, Crosby's status was unclear. Following a workout with the team yesterday Crosby told reporters, "No, nothing has changed from yesterday. I'll just kind of continue getting ready to go," Crosby said after Thursday's workout. "It's nice to get in a couple of reps before I eventually get in there. I think it's nice to get out there and move the puck around and get in some game situations. I won't get any games before this, so I've just got to make sure I get in as much as I can."
Crosby also said in an ESPN.com report that the outcome of Game 1 did not play any role in his decision to return. That much is obvious, due to the Penguins' ease in handling the Islanders. "I don't think it changes my mindset either way, to be honest. I think we have high expectations. I think we've proven when guys have been out that we play well and can find a way to win games. I think as an injured guy, you always want to get back no matter what, no matter if the team is doing well or not doing well. You always want to be with them."
For New York, the Islanders received a wake-up call as to how the game's physicality is ratcheted up come playoff time. Islanders leading scorer John Tavares was roughed up early and often in the 5-0 Game 1 loss.
"It's part of the playoffs to be physical on me," Tavares said. "Sometimes that gets you going, gets the blood going, gets you a little (ticked) off. Winning isn't easy. It's going to hurt a little bit. You're going to have to battle through a lot of things and we have to make sure we establish our game a little bit more, play a little quicker and not get caught up in stuff that's going on."
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