Crosby makes season debut vs. Devils

Sidney Crosby returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins' lineup Saturday night against the New Jersey Devils.

The star center missed the Penguins' first seven games of 2021-22 after undergoing wrist surgery in the offseason.

Crosby was on a minimum six-week return timeline after having the procedure performed Sept. 8. That would've put the 34-year-old on track to return last Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Penguins exercised some extra caution with their captain.

Pittsburgh went 3-2-2 without Crosby while also missing Evgeni Malkin due to offseason knee surgery. Jeff Carter also returned Saturday after sitting out the last three games in COVID-19 protocol.

The Penguins have been severely shorthanded to begin the campaign, as their No. 1 defenseman, Kris Letang, remains out after missing the last three contests while in the protocol as well.

Crosby ranked 10th in the NHL with 62 points over 55 games last season.