The Penguins (5-6-4) have lost three games with Crosby in their lineup, including 2-1 to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. The Pittsburgh captain missed the first seven games after having wrist surgery Sept. 8. He returned in a 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 30 but was sidelined the following five games after entering NHL COVID-19 protocol Nov. 3.
The Penguins lost his return 6-1 at the Washington Capitals on Sunday..
"I think we know the situation," Crosby said. "I think we feel like we've got to find some desperation and some urgency here, just being where we are, the situation that we're in. We've been fighting, really, since Game 1 with whether it be injuries or the virus."
Forward Bryan Rust (lower body) returned from injury Sunday. Forwards Jake Guentzel, Jeff Carter and Zach Aston-Reese; defensemen Kris Letang, Brian Dumoulin, Marcus Pettersson and Chad Ruhwedel; and coach Mike Sullivan have come back from COVID-19 protocol.
Center
Evgeni Malkin
, who is expected to be out until at least December after having knee surgery June 4, is the lone unavailable player.
"I think there's excitement knowing that we have a full group, but we also have some work to do," Crosby said. "It's not all going to come back in one game, but we know that we've got to start grabbing some points here."
After a 3-0-2 start, Pittsburgh has been outscored 36-19, including 12-4 in three games with Crosby, during a 2-6-2 stretch. The Penguins were in seventh place in the eight-team Metropolitan Division.
He was back with Guentzel at left wing and Rust at right wing on the first line and got his first point, an assist, on a goal by Guentzel on Tuesday. Crosby led Pittsburgh with 62 points (24 goals, 38 assists) in 55 games last season; Guentzel was second with 57 points (23 goals, 34 assists) in 56 games, and Rust was fourth with 42 (22 goals, 20 assists) in 56 games.
"We're familiar with each other," Crosby said. "If anything, they've played a good chunk of hockey here. So it'll be up to me to get up to speed and make sure I'm doing what I need to do. So I think, as a line, we're comfortable with each other.
"But personally, I think I need to get my game to a certain level. Hopefully, I can do that here pretty quick."
Crosby said he feels fine physically, but his timing wasn't where it needs to be. He said that once it returns, he hopes his health is no longer questioned.
"I'd prefer to be talking about hockey, nice plays and great goals, and wins," Crosby said. "But it happens. Sometimes it's out of your control. That was the case here. ... It's unfortunate, but it's part of life."
