Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Pittsburgh Penguins superstar forward Sidney Crosby returned to the lineup on Thursday after missing the previous seven games while nursing a high ankle sprain.

Crosby originally suffered the injury on January 18th in Pittsburgh’s 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay. After missing the next 21 games, the reigning Art Ross and Hart Trophy recipient came back on March 4 only to play just three games before aggravating the injury.

In 49 games this season, Crosby has notched 22 goals and 45 assists with a plus-18 rating.

The Penguins, with 95 points, currently occupy the second spot in the Eastern Conference, one point behind idle Montreal for the top seed and four points ahead of New Jersey — which is visiting the Rangers on Thursday — for first place in the Atlantic Division.