Sidney Crosby, Conor Sheary back in Penguins lineup for Game 5 against Capitals

WASHINGTON — Pittsburgh Penguins star center Sidney Crosby was in the lineup for Game 5 of the Penguins' Eastern Conference Semifinal game, days after he suffered his fourth reported concussion in the NHL.

Crosby and fellow Pens forward Conor Sheary were concussed in Monday’s loss to the Washington Capitals. Both took part in warm-ups ahead Saturday’s game at Verizon Center and were listed on the 20-man lineup submitted by the Penguins.

The Pens entered the contest with a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Crosby centered the Pens' top line to start the game with Jake Guentzel and Patric Hornqvist on the wings. Sheary began the game on Pittsburgh's third line.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan told reporters earlier Saturday that Crosby and Sheary would be a game-time decision. Both players were cleared on Friday.

"He has had a number of really positive days,” Sullivan said of Crosby.

Crosby was forced out of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal on Monday. He was initially hit in the head by the stick and clipped by Caps star Alex Ovechkin and then crosschecked in the head by defenseman Matt Niskanen.

Sheary was concussed in a collision with Hornqvist.