Sidney Crosby to sit out 2 games

ByABC News
December 12, 2014, 4:55 PM

— -- PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby will sit out the next two games as a precaution, though general manager Jim Rutherford says it does not appear the star is dealing with the mumps.

Crosby will not play Friday night against Calgary or Saturday at Columbus. The two-time NHL MVP participated in Friday morning's skate but acknowledged not feeling well recently and his right cheek was visibly puffy. Crosby underwent some testing on Friday, with specialists recommending Crosby take a couple of days off.

Rutherford said additional tests are pending; a source confirmed to ESPN.com that Crosby tested negative for mumps.

Crosby leads the Metropolitan Division-leading Penguins with nine goals and 26 assists in 27 games.

Multiple players on multiple teams from coast to coast have come down with the mumps, an illness more typically associated with children.

At least 10 players have been diagnosed with the mumps this season; most recently, the Devils announced that both Travis Zajac and defenseman Adam Larsson were diagnosed with the latter still recovering from the disease.

The Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, and Minnesota Wild have all been impacted by an outbreak of mumps.

The NHL has sent out instructions and recommendations about how best to treat and prevent further incidents, with some teams administering additional vaccines to stave off further transmission.

Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com's Katie Strang was included in this report.