Crosby passes baseline test, will be game-time decision for Penguins

Sidney Crosby discusses the latest in his concussion process, says he has a lot of belief in his body and the Penguins training staff, and says he'll be ready to return when they give him the okay.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby passed his baseline concussion test and will be game-time decision for Game 5 against the Washington Capitals.

Head coach Mike Sullivan made the announcement following his team’s optional skate Saturday morning.

Crosby suffered a concussion Monday in Game 3 when he was on the receiving end of a Matt Niskanen cross-check. Crosby missed Wednesday’s Game 4 but was a full participant at his team’s practice on Friday, taking line rushes between Jake Guentzel and Patric Hornqvist as well as putting in work on the top power-play unit with Hornqvist, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Justin Schultz.

The reigning Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner has sustained multiple concussions during his career dating back to 2011 and even missed the first six games of the 2016-17 campaign after being concussed during a practice.

Up 3-1 on the Capitals, the defending Stanley Cup champions have a chance to close out the series and move onto the Eastern Conference Final win a victory Saturday.

[gamecard id=1878757 league=nhl date=2017-05-06] Sullivan explained that where the Penguins are in a series would not impact whether or not he puts one of his injured players back in the lineup. Those types of decisions are all dependent on health. Crosby’s teammate Conor Sheary is also a game-time decision. Sheary missed Game 4 after suffering a concussion in Game 3.

“Having gone through this I’d like to think I’m pretty aware with my body at this point,” Crosby told reporters Friday. “I understand the importance of making sure you’re good before you come back. I have a lot of belief in our staff here. They’re going to do everything in their power to make sure I come back. I trust them. I trust the process you have to go through. Whenever it’s time, I’ll be ready.”

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