Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby Not in the Lineup for Sunday

Participants in the most recent edition of the "Crosby Watch" received their verdict after Penguins practice today, as captain Sidney Crosby announced he is not ready to go for the team's Sunday matinee at home against the Boston Bruins.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN in Canada, Crosby will not play tomorrow but is hopeful for a return on Thursday against the Rangers.

Sidney Crosby has been sidelined for 39 games since a collision with teammate Chris Kunitz against the same Boston Bruins on December 5 re-aggravated his concussion-like symptoms.

Now, it will be at least another game until he makes his second comeback of the season.

Crosby, 24, missed the final 41 games of the 2010-11 season and the initial 20 games of the 2011-12 season due to the concussion he suffered at last year's Winter Classic when he collided with the Capitals' David Steckel.

Then, he returned for eight games this season beginning November 21, notching 12 points. The Penguins were 5-2-1 during that stretch before Crosby re-injured himself on December 5 against Boston.

In Crosby's latest absence, the Penguins are 36-19-4 and are riding a current eight-game winning streak.

The Penguins (87) sit just four points behind the New York Rangers (91) for the top spot in both the Atlantic Division and the entire Eastern Conference standings with two more games scheduled between the two teams. Both teams have played 67 games to this point.

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 has spent time covering the IIHF World Championships, NHL and Collegiate Hockey during his career.