Penguins star Sidney Crosby nears return from mumps

Sidney Crosby is the latest NHL player to have contracted the mumps. The Pittsburgh Penguins star was experiencing visible swelling in his right cheek from the virus on December 12, 2014. (File Photo)

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby skated with his teammates on Thursday morning and could return to the lineup on Thursday night against Colorado.

Crosby has missed each of Pittsburgh's last three games after being diagnosed with the mumps last weekend. Crosby spent several days in isolation and was cleared to practice on Wednesday.

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will start for the Penguins after a test for mumps came back negative. The team is still awaiting test results for defencemen Olli Maatta and Robert Bortuzzo.

Penguins forward Beau Bennett is out indefinitely after testing positive for the virus on Monday.