Morning Skate Buzz: Crosby centering Hornqvist, Malkin; Marc Andre Fleury doesn’t have the mumps but Thomas Greiss might

— Missing the last three games, Sidney Crosby is under consideration to return to the lineup tonight vs the Colorado Avalanche.

Crosby is centering Patric Hornqvist and Evgeni Malkin this morning as the Penguins ponder loading up a top unit of Crosby and Malkin vs the Avalanche, though, Johnston does not always stick with his morning skate lines come game time.

Crosby’s availability is expected to be a coaches decision as he’s been cleared to play. Both sides will see how Crosby’s feeling this afternoon, though, it appears likely he will play tonight.

Crosby is also working on the top power play unit.

— Thomas Greiss opportunity to start a couple games in a row has been thrown out the window. Just a day after Marc Andre Fleury was put in isolation and tested for mumps, Greiss is now the one in isolation and being tested for mumps.

Fleury’s test results have come back negative and is participating in the morning skate. Fleury is expected to start tonight vs Colorado with Jeff Zatkoff backing up.

The Penguins claim they are still awaiting results from tests on defensemen Olli Maatta and Robert Bortuzzo. Both are currently injured.

— Based on Wednesday’s practice and today’s morning skate, it looks like Scott Harrington will draw in the lineup for his first NHL game with Brian Dumoulin coming out.

Evgeni Malkin – Sidney Crosby – Patric Hornqvist

Blake Comeau – Brandon Sutter – Steve Downie

Nick Spaling – Marcel Goc – Bryan Rust

Rob Klinkhammer – Andrew Ebbett – Craig Adams

Extra: Bobby Farnham