Crosby's Return

Sidney Crosby returned to the ice Monday night and he didn't waste any time getting back to his high standard of play with 2 goals and 2 assists, in a 5-0 Penguins win over the hapless Islanders. This was Crosby's first game since January when he was sidelined with the most debated case of post concussion syndrome in the history of sports or the New England Journal of Medicine. Since Crosby began skating in training camp this season there was much speculation on when he would return, but true to his word he returned when he was ready and clearly looked the part. Crosby played almost 7 minutes in the first period and looked in game shape, he played an integral part in the power play, and looked good in the hard areas of ice, but every time he took a hit I felt myself grimacing not only for the his safety and the Penguins, but also for the fate of the NHL.

It was a great night the Penguins as a healthy Crosby makes the Pens the best team in the NHL, for that matter adding Crosby to a dozen teams in the NHL makes that team the best in the NHL. I can make a compelling case for the Nashville Predators as champs with a healthy Crosby centering Patrick Hornquist and Craig Smith. With Crosby in the lineup the Penguins are balanced at center and allow Malkin and Staal to go against the other teams' 2^nd and 3^rd D pairings. The Penguins added James Neal and Steve Sullivan in the off-season and Neal could potentially score 50 flanked to Crosby's right, and a mediocre power play should improve dramatically once Crosby, Malkin, Neal, and Letang get comfortable working together in game situations.

It was even a better night for the NHL, yes even for Pittsburgh's biggest rivals Philly and Washington, since a high tide lifts all boats and Crosby is the NHL's biggest wave. Die hard hockey fans are incredibly loyal and will watch anything involving a puck, but the casual sports fan, especially in this country wants stars. Crosby is that star, he is the best player since Wayne Gretzky and whether people are tuning in to cheer him, boo him, or just to see something special that is a major win for the NHL because the game itself has a way of pulling you in even if you didn't mean for it to happen. As for Philly and Washington, nothing improves ratings like a rivalry and both are natural rivals due to the history, proximity, and the fact that they are the best teams in the conference. Something else was very clearly evident when Crosby was hurt; Ovechkin has not been the same player without Crosby. Whether it is his lack of concern for his own end, or his inability to improve his natural talents, Ovechkin has not picked up the mantle of best player while Crosby was out. Hopefully for the league's sake Ovechkin will pick up his game now that Crosby has returned.

The major concern with Crosby's return is that one hard hit to the head will once again shelf hockey's best player in a generation for good. Crosby is only 24, but he seems much older, maybe it is because he entered the league as an 18 year old, or that he has already won a Stanley Cup and Olympic Gold medal. With his future uncertain he could easily go down as the second best player in hockey or the modern day Sandy Koufax and the fact that we are still in the early stages of understanding brain injuries make the future that much cloudier. For Crosby's sake and the sake of the Penguins I hope in 15 years I can think back to his return night and laugh at the uncertainty I felt for the future, but more importantly as a hockey fan I hope the league can do the same.