Game 2 Morning Skate Buzz: Crosby returning tonight? Orpik, Neal Out:

With his father Troy Crosby in attendance, Sidney Crosby continues to look like a player who could be making his return to the lineup tonight in Game 2.

Crosby for the second straight day is centering the Penguins top line of Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis and is also seeing top power play time.

Crosby is stationed down low on the top unit with Chris Kunitz in front of the net, Evgeni Malkin at the half wall and Jarome Iginla, Kris Letang at the points.

While We await official word on Crosby’s status tonight, Crosby a couple days ago said that “whenever I take a regular morning skate, I’m sure that will be a pretty good sign that I’m in.”

Meanwhile Brooks Orpik will and James Neal will not play tonight. Orpik skated the past two days with the team but is not skating this morning. The Penguins will dress the same defensemen tonight. James Neal is sidelined with what is believed to be an ankle injury. Neal was walking around yesterday with a limp.

Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Pascal Dupuis

Beau Bennett – Evgeni Malkin – Jarome Iginla

Brenden Morrow – Brandon Sutter – Matt Cooke

Tanner Glass – Jussi Jokinen – Craig Adams

Extras: Dustin Jeffrey – Joe Vitale – Tyler Kennedy

Paul Martin – Deryk Engelland

Mark Eaton – Kris Letang

Douglas Murray – Matt Niskanen

Extra: Simon Despres – Robert Bortuzzo