TAMPA, Fla. — Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is coming back from an ankle injury and will play against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight.

Crosby, out since Jan. 18, unexpectedly took part in the team's pregame skate. Crosby, last season's NHL scoring champion and Most Valuable Player, was injured when his right skate slammed hard into the rear boards during the Lightning-Penguins game in Pittsburgh more than six weeks ago and hasn't played since.

He had not taken part in a full practice since Feb. 18 and it was not anticipated he would play until Sunday in Washington at the earliest.