Pittsburgh Penguins heart Sidney Crosby, goalkeeper Tristan Gary again in the lineup for match 7

Pittsburgh Penguins Star Center Sidney Crosby And the goalkeeper Tristan Garry He returned to the starting lineup for Sunday’s game 7 against Rangers in New York.

Coach Mike Sullivan included the players in his “match-time decisions” list.

Crosby, who had nine points in the first five games of the series, left Game 5 after picking up an upper body injury from a high-hit Rangers defenseman. Jacob Troup in the second period. New York rose to win that match. Sources told ESPN on Friday that Crosby was knocked out of Pittsburgh’s 5-3 loss in Game 6 due to a concussion. Rangers also rallied to win that game, pushing the series into Game 7.

Crosby skated individually on Friday with skills coach Ty Hines and then took part in practice with Pittsburgh on Saturday. He did not take an elective training Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

“The word concussion can be used loosely, but head injuries are very serious,” Crosby’s agent Pat Bryson told ESPN. “The Penguins are very careful and very smart about this. The most important is Sydney’s well-being as a person. He is evaluated and they do everything according to the book. The final decision on whether to play tonight will be made by the team doctor.”

Gary has not played since April 14 after sustaining a broken foot. to support Casey Desmith Played well driving the penguins down the sprawl. He started the first match against Rangers but had to leave in overtime twice due to injury. DeSmith underwent major muscle surgery and was disqualified from the playoffs.

Third stringer Louis Doming The Penguins led in their triple win in Game 1 in overtime but have 0.98 save percentages and 3.65 goals-to-average in six games. He struggled in Game 6, including Chris Kreider’s award-winning goal in the third half.

Gary participated in the optional workouts on Sunday and seemed to follow his starting routine, including leaving the ice first. Sullivan refused to name the starting goalkeeper for Game 7.

This could be Gary’s first playoff since the Penguins’ first-round loss to the New York Islanders in 2021, a six-game streak in which he has struggled, scoring 888 saves and 3.18 goals-to-average.

In news of other penguins injured, DF Brian Dumoulin Remains out after being injured in game 1. Attacker Brian Boyleone of the team’s top killers, is week to week after hitting his lower body in Game Six. Ricard Raquelwho took a hit in the first match, will also play after it is included as a match-time decision.

The Penguins are the only NHL franchise without defeating Game 7 as a visitor, and their 6-0 on-road record is the longest winning streak in NHL history.

The Rangers’ Game 7 all-time record is 9-6, including a 7-1 mark at Madison Square Garden.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan contributed to this report.