Crosby returns to practice

The Pittsburgh Penguins could be getting franchise center Sidney Crosby back in the lineup in the near future.

Crosby, who has missed the club's last 27 games, took part in a full team practice on Saturday for the first time since undergoing core muscle surgery Nov. 14.

"We're encouraged by his progress and we'll take each day as it comes," Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said, according to NHL.com's Alan Robinson. "We'll see how he responds and we'll make decisions accordingly."

Crosby said he plans to return before the All-Star break on Jan. 23 but wanted to see how his body responded before determining if he'd be in the Penguins' lineup on Sunday against the Arizona Coyotes. The Penguins ultimately ruled the superstar forward out for that contest.

The two-time Hart Trophy winner tallied five goals and 17 points in 17 games before the surgery. The resilient Penguins, which have missed several key players at various points this season, have posted a record of 17-6-4 with Crosby out of the lineup.