Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby Is Symptom Free, Targets Sunday Return

According to multiple reports, including the Sporting News, Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby is declaring himself free from post-concussion symptoms.

Via Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, barring any setbacks, Crosby could return to the Penguins lineup in time for their game at home against the Bruins.

Crosby has been out of the Penguins' lineup since December after suffering from recurring concussion-like symptoms following a collision with teammate Chris Kunitz against those same Boston Bruins.

Despite Crosby playing just eight games this season, the Penguins have the second-most points in the Eastern Conference this season (83) behind the New York Rangers (91) with 17 games remaining.

In those eight games, Crosby recorded 12 points and the Penguins were 5-2-1.

Nobody feels sorry for a Penguins team that has gone 34-19-4, and is riding a current six-game winning streak in Crosby's absence.

Evgeni Malkin's ascension to the top of the points lead and James Neal's best professional season make it hard for any fan of another franchise to pity the Penguins.

Regardless, the addition of Crosby should serve as a major boon to the Penguins, who under the directive of GM Ray Shero, stood pat at the trade deadline in hopes their superstar would reemerge.

Concussion-like symptoms have kept Crosby out of the lineup for 56 games this season officially, second to Radek Martinek of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who has missed 58 games.

According to the CBC, head injuries have cost NHL players 1,225 man games this season.

In terms of team injuries, the Penguins are second in the NHL in total man games lost.

Still missing is defenseman Kris Letang, who was sent to the injury list for a second time this season for concussion-like symptoms after receiving a questionable high elbow from the Dallas Stars Eric Nystrom in a 4-3 Pittsburgh win on Feb. 29.

Letang is listed as day-to-day, but his status is largely unknown upon further evaluation.

Forward Tyler Kennedy returned to the Penguins lineup against the Coyotes on Monday night after missing exactly a month with a high-ankle sprain. The same injury that forced Crosby from the lineup for 21 games during the 2007-08 season.

There is no official timetable for his return, but both Crosby and management are hopeful the franchise player could play Sunday —a nationally televised game on NBC Sports.

Does Crosby's return make the Penguins the favorite to emerge from the Eastern Conference? Comment below.

Ryan O'Leary is a researcher and writer for Bleacher Report's Video Production Department with seven years experience in the sports industry. Ryan covered the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Hockey Tournament with CTV and the 2011 IIHF World Championships with the NBC Sports Channel. He was also a member of NBC's 2008 Olympic Coverage in Beijing. Ryan resides in Connecticut and supports the Pittsburgh Penguins, San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers from afar. Ryan received his bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri and Master's of Sports Management from West Virginia University.