Sidney Crosby’s status for tonight’s game up in the air

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is feeling under the weather and his status for tonight’s game vs New Jersey Devils is up in the air, Penguins head coach Mike Johnston revealed after the morning skate.

Crosby and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo are both ill this morning and teams are being cautious with any player who shows up to the rink sick due to a mumps outbreak throughout the NHL.

Both players are under-going tests this morning and Johnston said the Penguins will know whether either player can play by the afternoon. If Crosby can’t go, Scott Wilson is a top a candidate for emergency recall.

Marcel Goc, Kris Letang have been officially ruled out for tonight’s game. With Bortuzzo questionable for tonight, Brian Dumoulin could make his season debut.

Dumoulin who was out-played by Scott Harrington in training camp, is a plus-16 in Wilkes Barre/Scranton and most scouts contend he’s ready for the NHL.

Pascal Dupuis skated by himself this morning as he has been cleared to workout while he’s on blood thinners for the next six months and took the option to skate. The Penguins staff have made a commitment to have Dupuis around the team, where in the past injured players were not asked to stay around the team.

Chris Kunitz took regular reps on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Blake Comeau, and also worked in as the fill in center in place of Crosby with Nick Spaling and Patrivc Hornqvist……Brandon Sutter centered Steve Downie and Craig Adams this morning, while Andrew Ebbett centered Zach Sill and Jayson Megna on the 4th line……Marc Andre Fleury will start in goal……