PITTSBURGH - He was 18 the last time, a fresh-faced kid who was the top pick overall, touted as a generational player and, along with fellow rookie Alexander Ovechkin, was expected to be a big part of rehabilitating the NHL’s reputation with fans after losing an entire season to a lockout.

It was simpler then, eh?

Crosby, at 25 his face fuller seven years later but still boyish, has been through so much with his concussions over the last couple of years. Now a lockout has cost another half a season and if there is a guy more anxious for Saturday to come and the chance to retreat into the blessed comfort of the routine of a game day, he would be hard to find besides the guy sitting here with Brandon Sutter to his right and an empty stall to his left.