Sidney Crosby returns to ice after mumps diagnosis, 3 Penguin teammates tested

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby skated on Wednesday as he points toward a return from a bout with mumps.

Crosby worked out on his own before the rest of the team took the ice. The reigning NHL MVP has missed Pittsburgh's last three games after being diagnosed with the disease. General manager Jim Rutherford says Crosby is past the infectious period. It's uncertain when Crosby will be cleared to play. The Penguins host Colorado on Thursday night.

The Penguins held goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defencemen Olli Maatta and Robert Bortuzzo out of practice on Wednesday while they undergo testing for mumps as a precaution. All three players tested negative for mumps earlier in December.

Pittsburgh forward Beau Bennett remains out with the mumps.