Crosby, Sheary Full Participants In Penguins' Practice
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary returned to the ice for a second straight day after suffering concussions during Game 3 against the Washington Capitals.
Both were wearing normal jerseys, rather than a no-contact version.
Crosby and Sheary also took part in normal line rushes during the Penguins' practice. Crosby was centering Jake Guentzel and Patric Hornqvist, while Sheary was alongside Nick Bonino and Bryan Rust.
#Pens lines:
Guentzel-Crosby-Hornqvist
Kunitz-Malkin-Kessel
Sheary-Bonino-Rust
Hagelin-Cullen-Kuhnhackl
The D are rotating.
-MC— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) May 5, 2017
Crosby also worked with the team's top power play unit.
After practice, Crosby said he feels good and is doing what he's told in his recovery. But, he is not ruling out playing in Game 5.
"I feel good. Right now, I'm just kinda following what I'm told to do," Crosby said. "I don't want to rule [out playing in Game 5]. I think it's not really up to me. You just kind of relay how you feel and kind of direct it from there."
While it seems like a possible quick return to action after suffering another concussion, Crosby is confident that the Penguins' staff will do all they can to make sure he's okay to return.
"I think, having gone through this, I'd like to think I'm pretty aware of my body at this point. I understand the importance of making sure you're good before you come back. I have a lot of belief in our staff here that they're going to do everything in their power to make sure that I'm good when I come back. I trust them and I trust the process that you have to go through and whenever it's time, I'll be ready," Crosby said.
Meanwhile, Sheary said he expects to be a game-time decision if the rest of the day goes well.
"I don't want to put myself in the clear yet. I hope I have another good day today, but I have been surprised with yesterday and today that I've been pretty much symptom-free. So, it's a good sign," Sheary said. "As long as today goes well, I think I'll be a game-time [decision] tomorrow."
Head coach Mike Sullivan would not elaborate on Crosby's status for Game 5, only saying he was day-to-day.
"He's day-to-day and he's going through part of the process. He was in a full-contact practice today. We'll see how he responds and go from there," Sullivan said. "He's going through a process just like all of our players would go through a process. We rely on our medical staff to advise us and help us make the best decision. The priority has always been on the health of our players first and foremost and that will never change."
Crosby suffered a concussion after being cross-checked in the head by Matt Niskanen during the first period of Game 3.
Niskanen was was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit.
Crosby remained down on the ice for a brief period of time before he was helped to the locker room. He did not return to the game and did not play in Game 4.
"I think the slash, [Ovechkin is] trying to prevent a goal and it's a pretty common play," Crosby said. "The other play, it's hard to say. I'm not gonna sit here and guess, but it's not one that happens too often."
The Penguins lead the series 3-1 and will look to eliminate the Capitals Saturday night.
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