Think NHL players aren’t fans, too? The Caps were well aware of Sidney Crosby’s return to action after over 10 months out thanks to the concussions he suffered last January. Defenseman Karl Alzner even asked one of the team’s trainers to keep him posted in between periods while Washington was in the middle of its game against Phoenix on Monday night.
Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ star center, ended up with two goals – one of them ranking among the best he’s ever scored as he slalomed around three New York Islanders players – and two assists in his much-anticipated return. There were over 250 credentialed media on hand at CONSOL Energy Center – or about what you’d get for a Stanley Cup finals series.
“It’s pretty impressive, I’ve got to say, to see a guy that’s been out for a couple months and just come back and had two goals and two assists,” Caps forward Nicklas Backstrom said. “I think so, too. We need him. He’s probably the best player in the world. I think that’s good for the NHL.”
Washington will get to see Crosby firsthand when the Penguins visit Verizon Center on Dec. 1. That lends even more juice to a rivalry that has been one of the sport’s best in recent years. Crosby suffered his first concussion against the Caps last year in the annual Winter Classic.
“It’s no surprise. [Crosby is] a great player and it’s nice to see if he’s back,” Alzner said. “I think you all ask all the guys in the league, probably 90 percent of guys are pretty happy in the league.”
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