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Kid 'n Play: Crosby return highlights big Pens-Rangers battle

Mar 15, 2012 - 3:21 PM (Sports Network) - Sidney Crosby will make his highly-anticipated return to the ice this evening, as Pittsburgh's superstar captain will try to help the Penguins win a 10th straight game when they visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Crosby has missed 40 games since he last played on Dec. 5 and has competed in only eight tilts since suffering a concussion in January 2011.

The 24-year-old former Hart Trophy winner missed more than 10 months after suffering a concussion last January, but he returned to action in late November and recorded two goals with 10 assists in eight games before symptoms again occurred. Crosby was later diagnosed with a soft tissue injury in his neck in late January, but then resumed skating with the team in early February. He was finally cleared for contact last week.

Crosby told his team's official website that he feels better heading into tonight's comeback game than he did when he returned from the 10-month absence to play against the Islanders on Nov. 21.

"I feel a little bit better knowing what to expect," Crosby said. "It's just easier going through it this time. That first game (against the Islanders) was pretty overwhelming. It was a lot of fun, but that being said I'll take it more in stride this time."

Crosby, who has 217 goals and 584 points in 420 games for the Penguins during his stellar career, is expected to center a line with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy in tonight's contest.

The Penguins have done extremely well despite not having Crosby for most of this season and they enter tonight's contest as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh is two points in front of Philadelphia in the conference standings and is also six points behind the Rangers for the Atlantic Division lead.

Pittsburgh's current nine-game winning streak is the club's longest since it won 12 straight from Nov. 17-Dec. 11 of last season.

The well-rested Pens picked up their most recent win Sunday against visiting Boston, as James Neal scored a goal and assisted on two others in the 5-2 win at Consol Energy Center.

Evgeni Malkin posted three assists for Pittsburgh. Malkin, who has 84 points and is tied with Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos for the NHL scoring lead, has been one of the biggest reasons the Pens haven't faltered without Crosby this season.

Arron Asham, Matt Niskanen, Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis also scored for the Penguins, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 34 saves in the victory.

In addition to Crosby, Pittsburgh could also get top defenseman Kris Letang back tonight, as he is questionable after missing the last five games with concussion-like symptoms. Letang has compiled 31 points (9 goals, 22 assists) in just 40 games during an injury-plagued season.

Tonight marks the start of a three-game road trip for the Pens, who are 18-13-3 as the road team this season. Pittsburgh will also visit division rivals New Jersey and Philadelphia during this swing.

The Pen and Rangers have split four meetings this season, but Pittsburgh has claimed the last two encounters -- which were both played without Crosby. The Pens have posted victories in six of their last eight games at MSG.

The Rangers will try to record a third straight win tonight after putting an 0-3 stretch behind them with consecutive wins over the Islanders and Carolina. All three losses during the three-game skid were on the road, but New York has posted two wins in a row to kick off its seven-game homestand.

The Blueshirts boast strong records at both home and on the road this year, going 24-7-2 at MSG compared to a 20-11-5 mark as the guest.

New York was without No. 1 goaltender Henrik Lundqvist on Tuesday due to a bout with the flu. Martin Biron got the start instead and stopped 27-of-29 shots to help the Rangers post a 4-2 win over the Hurricanes.

Brad Richards led the Rangers offense with two goals and an assist, giving him eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) over the last four games. Marian Gaborik added a goal and an assist while Carl Hagelin finished with a goal and two helpers for the Rangers.

"He's hot," Gaborik said about Richards. "He's confident, obviously, which is very important for offensive players. He knows how to slow the game down and Hags (Carl Hagelin) and I try to get in the holes, get some speed and pressure their defensemen and that's what we did tonight."

Lundqvist is questionable for tonight with his illness. If he is unable to suit up, Chad Johnson will once again serve as the backup to Biron.

The Rangers have also played the last two games without captain Ryan Callahan and the forward is questionable for tonight with a bruised right foot. Defenseman Michael Del Zotto is expected to miss a fourth straight contest with an injury to his right hip.