The Penguins will not have Sidney Crosby available for Tuesday's game against the Flyers, Mike Sullivan announced prior to the game.
He was placed on the NHL's COVID protocol list, which doesn't necessarily indicate that a player tested positive for coronavirus. How long a player remains on the list depends on the reason for being placed on the list.
As a result of Crosby being placed on the list, the Penguins' scheduled morning skate was canceled.
"It's tough," Sullivan said. "We all know how good of a player he is and the impact he has just with his game. The impact he has on our dressing room and on our bench, he's an influential player for us in so many different areas. He's not an easy guy to replace in any stretch."
Sullivan wouldn't say what roster moves would take place in order to replace Crosby in the lineup, but noted that they have several options -- Jared McCann, namely -- who can play center. Mark Jankowski remains day-to-day (but skated this morning), so he won't be an option.
Last game, the Penguins dressed the following forward lineup:
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Kasperi Kapanen
Jared McCann-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust
Zach Aston-Reese-Teddy Blueger-Brandon Tanev
Colton Sceviour-Sam Lafferty-Anthony Angello
The Penguins currently have two forwards -- left-handed winger Drew O'Connor and right-handed center/wing Josh Currie -- on the taxi squad. O'Connor has one assist in nine games in a fourth-line role this season, and last played in the second game of the series in Washington. Currie, 28, scored two goals -- both on the power play -- in three games with Wilkes-Barre this season. He last played in the NHL in 2018-19 with the Oilers, when he scored two goals and three assists in 21 games.
Without Crosby, the Penguins will likely reunite the line of Guentzel-Malkin-Rust, which was so successful together during Crosby's absence last season due to a core muscle injury. Malkin led the team with 11 goals and 27 assists in 26 games in that span.
"I think (Malkin's) game is coming," Sullivan said. "We feel as though his game has been trending the right way here for a couple of weeks. In my experience of coaching him when Sid hasn't been in the lineup, is Geno finds another level to his game. That's what we're going to need from him in order to have success. But certainly, he's shown in the past that he's been able to step up and fill that void. We're hopeful that he can continue to do that."
MORE FROM THE AVAILABILITY
• Brian Dumoulin and Evan Rodrigues skated with the taxi squad this morning.
• Sullivan said that Juuso Riikola would have skated with the team in the morning skate if there was a skate, and that he's "getting closer."
• Tristan Jarry will be back in net.