OTTAWA, Ontario -- The Penguins won't have Sidney Crosby when they face Ottawa tonight at 7:08 at the Canadian Tire Centre.
No Evgeni Malkin, either. Or Brian Dumoulin. Or Marcus Pettersson. Or Chad Ruhwedel.
But they know the situation could be worse.
All they have to do is look at the other bench.
When they report to work tonight, the Senators are expected to be missing no fewer than eight players because they are in the COVID-19 protocol.
And it's entirely possible that right winger Drake Batherson will join that list after recording a positive test Saturday morning, although a follow-up test was planned to confirm the result.
Ottawa already figures to be without Austin Watson, Matt Murray, Dylan Gambrell, Connor Brown, Alex Formenton, Victor Mete, Josh Brown and Nick Holden.
The Penguins are, of course, aware of the Senators' personnel miseries, but insist it will not affect how they approach the game.
"I don't think it changes anything at all," Danton Heinen said after their game-day skate. "We've seen it with our team, where Covid goes through our team, and injuries. We've battled, and still tried to win hockey games. You can't change your mindset at all."
Acting head coach Todd Reirden praised the effort Ottawa's replacement players have put forth while the lineup has been diluted.
"They're an extremely hard-working team that competes and battles," he said. "Guys who definitely go to the net-front and simplify their game. So regardless of who they have in there, it's going to be a difficult situation."
Zach Aston-Reese, meanwhile, noted that the Penguins know all about having to get by without a number of major contributors.
"We still have four or five key guys missing from our side, too," he said. "It's unfortunate for (the Senators). It's just a tough bounce. But they're still a really good team. ... I still think they're a dangerous team. They have a lot of young guys, a lot of skilled guys."
And regardless of the issues their opponent will face tonight, the Penguins' primary concern this evening will, as usual, be with their own performance.
"I think it's really important that we focus on our own game, continue to challenge ourselves with ways we know we need to get better, with different areas of the game that we continue to evaluate," Reirden said. "That's really the main focus for us, against any opponent."
MORE FROM THE SKATE
• Reirden said that Crosby, Dumoulin, Ruhwedel and Pettersson and Tristan Jarry were scheduled to skate in Pittsburgh today, and will join their teammates in Washington tomorrow. No decision has been made on whether Crosby or Dumoulin will play against the Capitals, although the Penguins seem optimistic about the chances.
• Casey DeSmith will start in goal tonight, with Louis Domingue as his backup.
• Aston-Reese does not have a goal in his first 10 games this season, but pointed out that he's gone through similar -- or worse -- dry spells throughout his career. "It's a little frustrating, but I go back to my junior career,' he said. "My last year, with the Lincoln Stars, I didn't score until, like, February. So I've been in the situation before, where the well dries up. I like a little bit of adversity. It's good for the soul."
• Mike Sullivan, who has exited the COVID-19 protocol, is expected to be behind the Penguins' bench for the Capitals game.
• Personnel combinations at the skate:
Jake Guentzel-Jeff Carter-Bryan Rust
Jason Zucker-Evan Rodrigues-Kasperi Kapanen
Danton Heinen-Teddy Blueger-Brock McGinn
Drew O'Connor-Brian Boyle-Zach Aston-Reese
Extra forwards: Dominik Simon, Sam Lafferty
Mike Matheson-Kris Letang
P.O Joseph-John Marino
Juuso Riikola-Mark Friedman
No. 1 power play: Letang, Carter, Kapanen, Guentzel, Rust
No. 2 power play: Riikola, Rodrigues, O'Connor, Zucker, Heinen
