Sidney Crosby: Penguins Star Must Avoid Returning Sunday vs. Boston Bruins

Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby spoke to NBC Sports' Pierre McGuire on Wednesday night and hinted that he could return to NHL action on Sunday versus the Boston Bruins.

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Crosby reiterated to NBC's Pierre McGuire tonight that he hopes to return Sunday.

— Kevin Allen (@kausatoday) March 8, 2012"

So, it seems like Crosby could return Sunday against the defending Stanley Cup champions and the most physical team in the NHL. Crosby's last game was a Dec. 5 battle versus the Bruins.

Is this a good idea? I don't think so.

I'm not saying the Bruins are going to go after him, because for one, Boston is not a dirty team. There's a difference between being very physical and being dirty, and the Bruins walk that line pretty well.

Secondly, the Bruins play a very heavy game, and I don't think this is the environment that the Penguins should put Crosby into for his first game back since December.

With Crosby possibly one hit away from his career ending, it would be wise of the Penguins to put him back into the lineup against a softer team than the Bruins.

Having your superstar player return from concussion symptoms against a team with defensemen such as Zdeno Chara, Dennis Seidenberg, Adam McQuaid and Johnny Boychuk is a bad idea.

Of course, you want Crosby to get some games under his belt before the playoffs arrive and the intensity of play rises to another level. If he plays against the Bruins on Sunday, Crosby will have 15 games to ready himself for the postseason. I don't think he needs 15 games to be well prepared for the playoffs.

Keeping Crosby out for a little while longer is the best course of action for everyone, because you have to ensure he will be able to sustain real contact well before he returns to game action.

If the Penguins think Crosby is ready to come back soon—or even very soon—they should still wait until after the Bruins game. 

I can't see the Bruins going after him, but the physical style of hockey Boston plays isn't the ideal environment for Crosby's return game.

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Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.