:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44261624/usa-today-8232184.0.jpg)
Sidney Crosby didn't appear at the morning skate for the Pittsburgh Penguins today, and his status for tonight's home game against the New Jersey Devils is up in the air. Robert Bortuzzo was also missing.
From the PG:
The pair were sent to the doctor’s office for additional testing, said coach Mike Johnston, who expects a prognosis on whether they will be available to play tonight at Consol Energy Center later this afternoon.
Earlier today the Pens had recalled Brian Dumoulin, to fill in as the extra defenseman with Kris Letang (lower body) already ruled out for tonight's game.
Should Crosby be out, the Pens only have 11 healthy forwards being as Marcel Goc (foot) didn't skate this morning either. This is a problem, since 12 usually play. All eyes turned to Wilkes-Barre to see if any news would come from the eastern side of the commonwealth, and it didn't take long.
John Hynes took a phone call during practice. Scott Wilson quickly left the ice. You do the math.
— Jonathan Bombulie (@CVBombulie) December 2, 2014
Wilson quietly anchored the top-line left wing position on #WBSPens through 1st quarter of the season. 21GP: 3G-9A. His +10 led WBS fwds.
— Highland Park Hockey (@H_P_Hockey) December 2, 2014
Wilson is in his first year as a pro. He will presumably make his NHL debut if Crosby is ruled out.
As far as what Crosby's condition is, it's all speculation. The rampant hot-button rumor is about the mumps- which has hit in Anaheim with 3 cases and recently popped up with ex-Penguin Tanner Glass (now a New York Ranger) being diagnosed with a case last weekend.
Of course there are many other illnesses that this could be as well, a few weeks ago Blake Comeau missed a game for being sick and it wasn't the mumps as some speculated, so we'll just hold off and wait to see what further information comes out.
Also, ex-Penguin, current Devil Jaromir Jagr is feeling ill too, but will play. If you go to Consol tonight, you might want to take a surgical mask.
Jagr said he is sick and sounded awful. But says he will play tonight.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_Trib) December 2, 2014