Penguins star Sidney Crosby is all the way back

Sidney Crosby is back, everyone.

The Pittsburgh Penguins captain was the favorite to win the Hart Trophy for regular-season MVP, and he is now the hottest player on the planet. He showed that Friday night by scoring a hat trick in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Ottawa Senators. Crosby now has six goals in these playoffs to go with six assists.

May 17, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (left) reacts after giving up a goal to Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (middle) during the first period in game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Since returning from his broken jaw injury May 3, Crosby has been on fire. His first game back he had two goals against the New York Islanders in just a matter of minutes. He did the same Friday night against the Senators.

His teammates always know when he’s open. In Game 5 against the Islanders, Jarome Iginla fed him a harmless pass at center ice and Crosby split two defenders and he still scored. Many people compared that goal to Mario Lemieux’s “statue goal” outside Consol Energy Center.

Crosby has excellent speed and passing ability as well. He always finds the open man even if they are covered a bit. He flies into the offensive zone and creates chances every time he is there. On the power play, he is just deadly. He gets his most points when the Penguins are on the power play, whether it is assists or goals.

Crosby is the best player in the world. He has shown it the last few games in these playoffs. He has this team and this city believing the Penguins can win their fourth Stanley Cup and their first since 2009.