Sidney Crosby told reporters after practice on Tuesday his groin injury shouldn't prevent him from being in the lineup for the Penguins season opener on Friday. (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has practised with his team for the first time since injuring his groin during a pre-season game against Columbus on Thursday.

Crosby told reporters Tuesday he expects to play in the season opener Friday against the New York Rangers, where the Pens will raise their Stanley Cup championship banner to the rafters at Mellon Arena.

Crosby did not play in the Pittsburgh's final pre-season game Sunday in Detroit, but skated on Saturday and Sunday.

In other Penguins news, last season's NHL scoring leader, Evgeni Malkin took a scheduled day off Tuesday, while forward Max Talbot skated for the first time since having surgery in the off-season to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Talbot is expected to miss about half the season.