Sidney Crosby returns to practice as Penguins, Canadiens both approach full strength

Eight days out from the return to NHL hockey and the Pittsburgh Penguins got their captain back at practice today, after a six day absence from the team.

Sidney Crosby had skated on his own the last two mornings, and did again today. He apparently felt good enough to rejoin the team and take back over in his normal spot.

Barring any more injury shenanigans, this is how the Penguins will look in a week in a day in Toronto when they play Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens. Also, outside of a couple periods in November, this is the only time the full Pens’ team has all been healthy at the same time*

(*Yeah, Nick Bjugstad and Dominik Simon are hurt, but they’ve been in smaller roles anyways, so it’s fine)

For their part, the Habs are settling in and finally getting all their players on the ice for the first time with the somewhat recent news that Max Domi has decided to join the team and play this summer.

Their lines have settled in to start looking like:

Tomas Tatar – Philip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Jonathan Drouin – Nick Suzuki – Joel Armia

Artturi Lehkonen — Jesper Kotkaniemi — Paul Byron

Jordan Weal — Max Domi — Dale Weise

Ben Chiarot / Shea Weber

Brett Kulak / Jeff Petry

Victor Mete / Cale Fleury

Almost a week out, final preparations of a short training camp are almost over. The Pens practice today, have a matinee scrimmage tomorrow and then depart for the bubble in Toronto on Sunday. As of now, it’s looking like they’ll do so with the healthiest and deepest team they could have hoped for.