Could Sidney Crosby return after a mumps-induced absence?
The Pittsburgh Penguins are battered, bruised and ultimately just really exhausted, but they could return their captain on Thursday.
Sidney Crosby, who has missed the last three games due to the mumps spreading through the NHL like wildfire, is reportedly close to returning to action. There is a good chance he takes the morning skate on Thursday before suiting up to play the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m. in Pittsburgh. Even if Crosby returns, the Penguins will still be missing players like Olli Maata, Beau Bennett, Robert Bortuzzo and Chris Kunitz with mumps and various injuries. If there was any time for the Avs to take advantage of a beaten up Penguins squad, it's tonight.
Elsewhere, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets will look to continue their recent winning streaks against their respective opponents on Thursday. Columbus, winners of six-straight, will play a Washington Capitals team fresh off an NHL record-breaking 20-round shootout against the Panthers on Tuesday.
The Leafs will have a far easier time dealing with their opponents. Carolina is mired in a terrible season plagued with injuries, and rumors are swirling that the team is close to trading some important parts. In the meantime, they must stop a Toronto team that has gone 9-1-1 since last month.
Here is the full schedule for Thursday. All times are Eastern.
Matchup | Time | Visitor TV | Home TV | National TV |
Panthers at Flyers | 7 p.m. | FS Florida | CSN Philly |
|
Avalanche at Penguins | 7 p.m. | Alt | ROOT | NHL Network |
Maple Leafs at Hurricanes | 7 p.m. |
| FS Carolina |
|
Capitals at Blue Jackets | 7 p.m. | CSN DC | FS Ohio |
|
Ducks at Canadiens | 7:30 p.m. | Prime Ticket |
|
|
Blues at Kings | 10:30 p.m. | FS Midwest | FS West |
|
Oilers at Sharks | 10:30 p.m. |
| CSN CA |
|
Source SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1AKSXvF
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