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Sidney Crosby plays Thursday

NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who had missed three games after being diagnosed with the mumps, returned to the lineup Thursday night for Pittsburgh's 1-0 overtime win over Colorado.

"I think, as a hockey player, you crave that routine and competing,'' Crosby said after the game. "It's much better talking about hockey than that other stuff.''

Crosby participated with the team during the morning skate Thursday. He was diagnosed last weekend and had spent several days in isolation and was cleared to practice Wednesday.

Crosby tallied three shots on goal Thursday night.

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury started for the Penguins -- and stopped 29 shots, registering his sixth shutout of the season -- after a test for the mumps came back negative, as did tests for Robert Bortuzzo and goalie Thomas Greiss.

Defensemen Olli Maatta, however, tested positive, the team said Friday morning.

Penguins forward Beau Bennett is out indefinitely after testing positive for the virus Monday. Also diagnosed with the disease is a Penguins intern working with the radio broadcast crew, a team source told ESPN.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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