Crosby aims to play exhibition with Penguins before Qualifiers

CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Sidney Crosby is aiming to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their exhibition game prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers on Saturday.

The center practiced with the Penguins in Toronto, the Eastern Conference hub city, Monday. Coach Mike Sullivan said the Penguins will decide Tuesday whether Crosby will play the exhibition game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Scotiabank Arena that afternoon (4 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NBCSP+, ATTSN-PT).

The Penguins begin their best-of-5 qualifier series against the Montreal Canadiens on Aug. 1.

Crosby did not participate in a scrimmage Saturday after practicing Friday for the first time since July 18. As part of the NHL Return to Play Plan, a team is not permitted to disclose player injury or illness information.

Crosby worked with skills coach Ty Hennes and goalie Casey DeSmith on the second rink at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex on Saturday, starting at least 45 minutes before the scrimmage began at noon ET. Crosby skated on the auxiliary rink for at least 65 minutes.

"Ideally, I would've liked to get in a little more with the scrimmages and game-situation things," the 32-year-old said. "But with that being said, I think the fact that I've been able to skate for a good chunk of time will help get through that. It's one of those things, I skated on my own for a long time and I didn't really feel like I needed another week of it, but that being said, things are moving in the right direction. So hopefully get into that exhibition game."

As Crosby joined practice Friday, his teammates gave him a loud stick tap. Forward Jared McCann said it was to jeer Crosby for being late, but coach Mike Sullivan said it was genuine.

"I thought it was a great gesture on behalf of his teammates," Sullivan said. "I just think it speaks to the respect that he commands among his peers and the importance that he brings to our team. When Sid is a part of the active practice, I just think it elevates our whole level of intensity and execution out there. For me, that gesture, I felt really good for Sid."

Crosby scored 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) in 41 games this season before it was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. He was injured Nov. 9, had core muscle surgery Nov. 14, and missed 28 games before returning Jan. 14.

The Penguins (40-23-6, .623 points percentage) enter the Qualifiers as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, with the Canadiens (31-31-9, .500) the No. 12 seed. The winner will advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the loser will have a chance at the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft in the Second Phase of the NHL Draft Lottery, to be held Aug. 10.

Crosby, a Stanley Cup champion in 2009, 2016 and 2017, said he's sensed the Penguins are prepared when watching recent scrimmages.

"I think guys are eager to play," he said. "It's a different situation. There are a lot of new things that we're going to have to deal with. With that being said, guys just seem really passionate. They've put in a lot of work, even when it wasn't the easiest thing to do."