Penguins' Crosby participates in the "morning skate" with Dupuis in preparation for Crosby's return to action Monday night against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (L) participates in the "morning skate" with teammate Pascal Dupuis in preparation for Crosby's return to action Monday night against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 21, 2011. REUTERS

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby skated with his team mates for the first time in more than a month on Friday, the team said.

Crosby, who has been sidelined since December after a relapse of concussion symptoms, was on the ice for about 27 minutes in a morning workout ahead of the Penguins' game with the Florida Panthers.

I feel pretty good, he told reporters. It's nice to get back out there for the first time. I'm taking it in stride, but it's nice to get back out there.

The workout was his first with the team since Dec. 7.

The Penguins have given no timetable for the center's return to the lineup, but he is expected to skate in practice on Sunday before the slumping Penguins play at Tampa Bay.

(The) symptoms have gotten a lot better, the NHL's top draw said. I'm allowed to lightly exert. That's positive.... We'll see how it goes.

Crosby chatted briefly with coach Dan Bylsma at the Friday workout before taking some passes from conditioning coach Mike Kadar and shooting at an empty net, the league's website reported.

After his team mates left, Crosby remained on the ice and worked with center Joe Vitale, assistant coaches and goalie Brent Johnson.

Crosby missed the final 41 games of last season and the first 20 games this season before making a strong return in November.

He scored 12 points in eight games but began experiencing concussion symptoms again in early December and has not played since December 5.

During his absence the Penguins have tumbled to ninth place in the Eastern Conference and lost their past six games.

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