Short-Term Outlook for Sidney Crosby Remains Hazy

CRANBERRY — Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby was back on the ice Thursday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

Whether he’ll be more than an interested observer when the Penguins play in New York and Philadelphia still isn’t clear, however.

Crosby, clearly bothered by some issue with his left arm/shoulder/elbow, mostly worked out on his own while his teammates were going through a practice. He rarely shot pucks during his session, and did not do so as forcefully as usual.

He was injured in the third period of the Penguins’ 3-2 overtime loss to New Jersey Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena, and coach Mike Sullivan said no decision has been made about whether Crosby will be in uniform when the Penguins take on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden Friday.

“Obviously, he skated on his own today,” Sullivan said. “That was pre-planned. He’s continuing to be evaluated. We’ll probably have more information on his status tomorrow.”

Crosby did not speak with reporters after adjourning to the locker room following his workout.

In Crosby’s absence, Rickard Rakell shifted from left wing on the No. 1 line to Crosby’s spot in the middle. Anthony Beauvillier replaced Rakell on the left side and Bryan Rust remained on right wing.

Sullivan was noncommittal about whether Rakell would be used at center if Crosby can’t go against the Rangers.

“It’s an option for us,” Sullivan said. “Let’s see what Sid’s status is.”

Rakell said he played center growing up and did it with Anaheim early in his pro career, and seemed unfazed by the idea of filling in for Crosby if that becomes necessary.

“Sid has one way of playing center, and he’s the best at it,” Rakell said. “I’m just going to try to play my game and not make it too complicated.”

If Crosby is sidelined, the Penguins will be without their top two centers, because Evgeni Malkin has an unspecified lower-body injury that has caused him to miss the past four games.

Malkin did not participate in Thursday’s practice and Sullivan said there is no change in his week-to-week status.

“It’s not going to be easy, losing our top two forwards,” Rakell said. “But it’s an opportunity for other guys.”

Although he has not taken many faceoffs since joining the Penguins, Rakell doesn’t seem particularly concerned about that aspect of playing center.

“I don’t think it’s a big issue,” he said, adding that, “it’s going to be up to my wingers to help me out.”