Penguins' Crosby sidelined with mumps

Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby has been diagnosed with the mumps and will remain sidelined.

The Penguins made the announcement Sunday, just two days after saying Crosby would miss two games as a precautionary measure because he had not been feeling well.

Crosby missed games Friday against Calgary and Saturday in Columbus. He will also sit out Monday's game against Tampa Bay.

The Penguins said Crosby should be through the infectious period by Monday.

"We're concerned about it (spreading), it's a disease that's going throughout the league," said Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford on Sunday. "You just don't know far it can spread. We're watching this on a regular basis."

Crosby has nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points in 27 games this season.

The mumps have been a persistent problem for NHL players all season. Some who have been sidelined by the illness include Anaheim's Corey Perry, Minnesota's Ryan Suter and New Jersey's Travis Zajac.