The center is expected to skate in Pittsburgh on Saturday for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19 and being placed in protocol Nov. 3. He will meet the Penguins in Washington on Sunday following their game at the Ottawa Senators on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; SN1, TVAS2, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
"We'll have to see how everything goes, but he'll be skating today and we'll take it day by day here," said assistant coach Todd Reirden, who has filled in with coach Mike Sullivan also in NHL COVID-19 protocol.
Crosby has missed four games while in protocol. He has played one game this season after missing the first seven games of the season following offseason wrist surgery.
Defensemen Chad Ruhwedel, Marcus Pettersson and Brian Dumoulin, and goalie Tristan Jarry, were also expected to skate Saturday and join the Penguins on Sunday, as is Sullivan. Jarry had not been in protocol. He did not travel to Ottawa since Casey DeSmith was scheduled to start with Louis Domingue the backup.
Ruhwedel and Pettersson each missed three games before returning for a 3-2 shootout win against the Florida Panthers on Thursday. They were placed back in protocol Friday.
Dumoulin has missed four games while in protocol.
"Outstanding leader, two-time Cup winning defenseman and his presence on the ice and in our locker room is well regarded." Reirden said. "We will be happy to have him back and again, hoping that that is an opportunity for him to be back tomorrow potentially."
Sullivan has missed four games. He last coached during a 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 30.
"That's what we are hoping for, is that [Sullivan] will be behind the bench tomorrow in Washington provided that everything goes along as planned," Reirden said.
