Backchecking the Pens: May 4, 2017

According to several underpaid but well-respected journalists, who ventured to Cranberry to see if any Penguins took the ice, Sidney Crosby skated…in full gear.

Dave Molinari of the PG and Josh Yohe of DKpittsburghsports.com reported the session. We encourage you to support real journalism:

Sidney Crosby is on the ice in Cranberry this morning. Here’s the latest: https://t.co/DKdDKcdSsT

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) May 4, 2017

Mike Sullivan provided confirmation, but per hockey culture and playoff protocol could say little else.

Sullivan says Crosby skated this AM: "We’ll just leave it at that. It’s a day-to-day process, and we’re taking each day as it comes."

— Sam Werner (@SWernerPG) May 4, 2017

Says Dan Kingerski:  Crosby will play when he’s ready. No need to debate if they should rest him. He’ll play when he’s ready, not before. Don’t lose sight of the Capitals domination in Game 4. Six minutes into the 2nd period, the Capitals went to a trap.  90 seconds later, they scored. And scored again. The Penguins only offense after that came from Justin Schultz’s power-play goal.

The Penguins have a 3-1 lead, not a series victory, yet. You don’t “rest” in the playoffs. You rest in July.

Read today’s column:  No Crosby, No Problem. Pens Have Fleury. Lead 3-1.  Part ode to Fleury. Part X’s and O’s breakdown, especially of Pens first goal. Who else gonna give you all of that in 1000 words?