Something peculiar about Sidney Crosby as he returns to Penguins’ lineup!

Social media went nuts on Wednesday morning when it was reported by many Pittsburgh insiders that Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was taking lines rushes at the morning skates, ahead of tonight’s matchup against the Hurricanes in Carolina.

The Pens’ superstar captain later confirmed that he will make his return tonight in Raleigh.

"Just happy to finally be back in there."

Crosby has been recovering from a Grade 2 MCL sprain suffered in the Olympics after suffering the knee injury for Team Canada in their quarter-final matchup against Czechia last month.

There had been unverified reports that Crosby was weeks ahead of his expected recovery time and that he was looking to get in some playing time ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs a month from now. His wish has just come true, but… I’m just going to say it, the guy is a freak. No one expected him to recover so fast and be there for the Penguins’ final stretch into the postseason. According to many health specialists and websites, a grade 2 MCL sprain typically requires 4 to 6 weeks to heal and for a return to normal activities, although it can take up to 8 weeks depending on rehabilitation. The Penguins had expected Crosby to only be able to return for the postseason, but look at him now. He has only missed 11 games.

More good news for Pittsburgh. Star forward Evgeni Malkin returned after he completed his five-game suspension Saturday and played in the crushing win over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night, in which Geno scored a pair of goals. He’s the one, after the morning skate, who yelled out to reporters that Crosby was back.

For tonight, it looks like both superstars will be in the lineup. And it sure sounds like Geno is thrilled about it, despite how crazy it is that Crosby has recovered in record time.

See the projected lines here below:

Rickard Rakell - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust

Egor Chinakhov - Tommy Novak - Evgeni Malkin

Anthony Mantha - Ben Kindel - Justin Brazeau

Elmer Soderblom - Connor Dewar - Noel Acciari

(Ville Koivunen - Kevin Hayes - Avery Hayes)

Parker Wotherspoon - Erik Karlsson

Ryan Shea - Kris Letang

Ilya Solovyov - Connor Clifton

(Sam Girard - Jack St. Ivany)

Stuart Skinner starts.