The New York Rangers will have to deal with the hoopla around the return to the ice of Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby on Thursday (via NY Daily News).
"I feel good and the plan is to play Thursday," Crosby told the media following practice at the team's Southpointe facility in Western Pa. "I had a good practice and I'm looking forward to getting out there Thursday."
The Rangers host Crosby and the Penguins on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. The Penguins are on a nine-game winning streak and have closed the gap to just four points behind the Rangers for first place in the Atlantic Division.
Crosby has missed the last 40 games of the season while dealing with a soft-tissue neck injury. Crosby was initially thought to be suffering from concussion symptoms. Crosby has only been practicing on a full contact basis for a week. In eight games this season, Crosby has 12 points.
The Rangers-Pens series is tied at 2-2 this season but New York has lost the past two meetings.
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