Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Penguins star Sidney Crosby out Tuesday vs. Lightning

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan raised eyebrows Monday when he said that superstar Sidney Crosby was "a whole lot closer" to returning to the lineup and making his 2021-22 NHL season debut as he continues to recover after undergoing wrist surgery on Sept. 8.

Despite that positive update, the Penguins have since confirmed Crosby won't play in Tuesday's matchup against the 2-3-1 Tampa Bay Lightning. That didn't, however, stop the 34-year-old from having some fun on the ice earlier in the day.

The Penguins have gone 3-0-2 without their captain but have encountered multiple other setbacks. Forward Jeff Carter tested positive for COVID-19, goaltender Tristan Jarry was placed in the NHL's coronavirus-related protocol and defenseman Kris Letang also tested positive for the virus. 

Jarry is starting Tuesday, and Sullivan spoke of the other two Tuesday afternoon.

Per ESPN stats, Jarry is 3-0-1 with a 1.47 goals-against average and .943 save percentage in four starts this season.

Pittsburgh hosts the Calgary Flames Thursday night. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Celtics rediscover their groove in Game 3 win over Knicks
Rockies' Kris Bryant gives update on back procedure, what comes next
Jake Garcia edges Corey Heim for Truck Series pole at Kansas
Insider reveals real reason why Steelers didn't draft Shedeur Sanders
Connor Bedard facing major criticism for refusing to play for Team Canada at World Championship
Derek Carr retirement accelerates necessary Saints rebuild
Steelers landed one of the NFL Draft’s biggest sleepers
Bill Belichick still has a chance to walk away from UNC
Jasson Dominguez sets Yankees record in three-homer game against A’s
Steve Kerr hints at ‘new formula’ Warriors will use without Steph Curry
'Unstoppable' Donovan Mitchell goes off, Cavs destroy Pacers in much-needed win
Brad Marchand's playoff OT goal gives him a signature moment with Panthers 
Cardinals pitcher throws first complete game of career against his former team
Texans second-round pick lands historic rookie deal
Pirates Gold Glove-winning IF has brutal assessment of 'terrible' team
Draymond Green rips 'agenda' to portray him as 'an angry Black man'
Cowboys' George Pickens responds to controversial Mike Tomlin, Art Rooney II comments
Pat Riley makes harsh comments about Jimmy Butler
Titans GM shares surprising update about Cam Ward, Will Levis
Eastern Conference team 'forecasted' as Kevin Durant landing spot