PITTSBURGH (AP) ― The Pittsburgh Penguins milled quietly about their dressing room deep inside Consol Energy Center on Monday, slowly getting back to work following a welcomed few days off for the All-Star break.

As the players chatted about their current seven-game winning streak, the spectacular play of center Evgeni Malkin and the prospects of catching the New York Rangers for the Eastern Conference lead, a familiar image flickered on a nearby TV. More than one player stopped to watch.

There was Sidney Crosby, streaking down the ice against the New York Islanders on Nov. 21, scoring in spectacular fashion.

As solid as the NHL’s hottest team has looked over the last two weeks, the main question heading into the stretch remains the same now as it did when the season began in October.

When is Sid the Kid coming back?

And while coach Dan Bylsma refuses to put a timetable on Crosby’s return, there at least appears to be a sense of optimism despite news over the weekend the 24-year-old superstar suffered a neck injury last January that perhaps complicated his nearly 11-month recovery from a concussion.

Crosby skated on the Consol ice for the first time in more than six weeks on Monday, joining fellow injured teammates Simon Despres and Jordan Staal for a brief workout.

Bylsma said Crosby worked at a “pretty good clip” during his session, adding Pittsburgh’s captain was “pretty excited” to be back at work, even in a limited capacity.