Sidney Crosby: Penguins Star Will Be Hit Hard in Return Against Islanders

Sidney Crosby is making his grand return to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup tonight, and he is going to take some hard shots courtesy of the New York Islanders.

The 24-year-old superstar has been recuperating from concussion symptoms since last season, when he was rocked in the Winter Classic by the Capitals’ David Steckel and then slammed into the glass four days later by Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman.

He has not played since that January 5 game against Tampa Bay.

Dr. Michael Collins, director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, finally cleared him to play hockey, and The Kid will finally get back on the ice and see some limited action tonight.

When coach Dan Bylsma was asked how many minutes his star would get, he said:

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I don’t know exactly what a number would be, but it’s certainly not going to be rushing right back into 20-plus minutes — where he was at before. He certainly will be watched and monitored.

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He’s going to definitely be monitored closely after the Islanders rough him up upon his return.

Hockey is a brutal sport by nature, and hits are part of the game. If you think for one minute these guys will take it easy on their opponent because he is coming back from an injury, you are sorely mistaken.

Sure, the Islanders might be a little timid to deliver the first crushing blow on Crosby, but if someone gets him lined up and has the opportunity, they are going to take it, and Sid should be ready.

No one wants to see him get hurt again and disappear for months with another concussion or have his career threatened, but he cannot be protected in a special way, because he is playing a sport in which everyone must be treated equally.

Star players and scrub fourth-liners are expected to get the same calls and take the same hits. There should be no different treatment for Crosby or Arron Asham from the referees or opposing players.

It’s definitely going to be a big deal when Crosby gets lit up for the first time tonight, but it signals that he is ready to return to hockey and play for real.