RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) 鈥� is back.
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain was productive almost immediately in his return to the lineup Wednesday night after missing nearly a month with sustained while competing for Canada at the .
Crosby had a goal and an assist, but it wasn’t enough as the to the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes.
But, the game was a valuable step for the team鈥檚 scoring leader.
鈥淒efinitely some rust,鈥� Crosby said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e just got to find a way to make sure you adapt as soon as possible. Every game is so big. To come back at this point in the year, you鈥檝e got to find a way to get that timing and make sure my game is where it needs to be.鈥�
The 38-year-old Crosby logged about 18陆 minutes. His team-high 28th goal tied the game at 1 midway through the second period. He assisted on Erik Karlsson鈥檚 tying goal in the third period, pushing his points total to 61 in 57 games.
Crosby was injured four weeks ago when his right leg buckled during a collision with Czechia鈥檚 Radko Gudas during Canada鈥檚 quarterfinal victory.
Penguins coach Dan Muse said Crosby found a good rhythm quickly.
鈥淚 thought that Sid鈥檚 line was good,鈥� he said.
Crosby also spent time in the penalty box 鈥� in the second period for roughing and in the third for tripping.
The Penguins and Hurricanes combined for seven third-period goals.
鈥淪ome lead changes, things like that,鈥� Crosby said. 鈥淏ut sometimes that鈥檚 what the game dictates and obviously it鈥檚 about winning at the end of the day, so we鈥檝e got to find a way to win that game.鈥�
The Penguins, eying their first playoff spot since 2022, went 5-3-3 during Crosby鈥檚 11-game absence.
鈥淚t鈥檚 never easy watching, but I think you gain even more appreciation when you鈥檙e up top, and you just see on a nightly basis, the way we compete, the way we work,鈥� Crosby said before the game.
The Penguins, who are second in the Metropolitan Division, completed a 2-1-2 trip. Crosby will play in a home game for the first time since Feb. 2 when the Penguins meet Winnipeg on Saturday.
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