The Penguins’ Friday afternoon game at Ottawa has been postponed. The NHL announced yesterday that it was due to “current attendance restrictions in certain Canadian cities” because of the pandemic.
It’s the fifth straight game the Pens will miss and the NHL has not announced makeup dates. The team is next scheduled to play Sunday afternoon at one o’clock at home against San Jose.
Coach Mike Sullivan says these are “unprecedented times” and the NHL is just trying to keep everyone safe.
The Penguins called up four players for their taxi squad yesterday, but one of them, defenseman P.O. Joseph, tested positive for covid and joined the other six sidelined Penguins in the protocols. Sullivan said there were no changes in the status of those six players. The other taxi squad members are highly-touted forward prospect Kasper Bjorkqvist, veteran defenseman Juuso Riikola, and goaltender Louis Domingue.
At practice yesterday, the Penguins held a spirited scrimmage with all players fully participating, including Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, and Evgeni Malkin, who are all on injured reserve.
Sullivan says he is looking forward to getting his injured stars back.
Guentzel was one of hockey’s hottest players when he was injured in Seattle as he blocked a shot with his hand. He says he and Rust have good chemistry on the top line with Sidney Crosby.
Guentzel says he does not anticipate it taking long for him to get back to top form.
The Penguins have not played since a 3-2 win on the road at New Jersey on December 19th, their seventh straight win. They are currently fourth in the Metro Division behind the Hurricanes, Capitals, and Rangers, but just four points out of first place.
