Mike Sullivan reports to work every morning when the Penguins are scheduled to practice with a plan for that day's workout.
He just never knows who's going to be around to execute it.
Not until the latest round of COVID-19 test results comes in, anyway.
"We go into the day with a specific game plan," Sullivan said after practice Friday. "And sometimes lately, it seems like we're thrown curveballs when we get in in the morning, and we've got to make adjustments accordingly."
Friday, that meant getting versatile forward Evan Rodrigues back from the NHL's Covid protocol, but having center Jeff Carter enter it for the second time in a little over two months.
Which is to say, it was just another round of Coronavirus Roulette for the Penguins, who already had Kasperi Kapanen, Tristan Jarry, Teddy Blueger, Mike Matheson, Dominik Simon, John Marino and P.O Joseph in the protocol.
"I think our coaching staff has just grown accustomed to expect it," Sullivan said "And what comes our way, we'll try to make the best decisions to continue to accomplish our goals and improve and get better as a team, prepare the team for what we're up against in the short term. We'll just have to be ready to adapt."
The Penguins have had five consecutive games postponed since a 3-2 victory in New Jersey Dec. 19, but Sullivan said they are preparing as if their next game -- Sunday at 1:08 p.m. against the Sharks at PPG Paints Arena -- will go off as planned.
Of course, even if the Penguins do face San Jose then, there's no way for Sullivan to know which of his players will be available for the game; the only certainty is who won't be able to play because they've been in the protocol for fewer than five days, continue to show symptoms after registering a positive test or have not gotten the negative test result(s) needed to get clearance to return to active duty.
"Every day, you don't know what's going to happen," Drew O'Connor said.
Rodrigues, who practiced at right wing on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Danton Heinen, has proven that he can be effective at all three forward positions and can move up and down the lineup with ease, so filling diverse roles and working with a variety of linemates isn't particularly daunting for him.
That's not necessarily the case for guys who need consistency and stability to be at their best, however.
"It's difficult, but you have to embrace it, embrace the challenge," Rodrigues said. "I think you make the most of it. If you do that, it shouldn't hinder your performance."
For the most part, the Penguins have handled the adversity well. They have won their past seven games, despite being without some of their most prominent players because of injuries or illness.
"We've had guys step up all year," Rodrigues said. "Whatever position they're put in, guys have embraced the challenge and embraced the role they've been put in."
That's what the Penguins expect of O'Connor, who has spent most of his career on the wing but has been plugged into Blueger's spot between Zach Aston-Reese and Brock McGinn.
"With those two wingers, they make it easy on you," O'Connor said. "They help you out a lot."
Synergy of that sort could help the Penguins continue collecting points while they have so many regulars in the protocol.
"We believe we have what it takes to win," Sullivan said. "The expectation is, regardless of who's in our lineup on a given night, we have what it takes to win. And everybody needs to live up to that responsibility."
MORE FROM THE PRACTICE
• For purposes of future Covid calculations, a team official reminded that the day a player tests positive is Day Zero, and that he must remain in the protocol for at least five days after that.
• Bryan Rust slipped into Rodrigues' session with reporters and asked him, "Speaking of rust, would you consider Bryan Rust your favorite teammate?" Rodrigues' response: "Um, I would say No. 17 is, yeah."
• Forwards Anthony Angello and Radim Zohorna were recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and added to the taxi squad. Both participated in practice. "We know we can put them in the lineup and these guys can play minutes for us, and they can make a positive impact on the game," Sullivan said.
• Sullivan declined to say whether he believes the NHL should adopt a firm standard for postponing games, such as when one of the teams has a specified number of players in the protocol, but added that "I think the league is doing its very best to try to allow for this season to function as normally as it can, and that's a difficult challenge under these circumstances."
• Angello has played just four games with Wilkes-Barre this season because of an ankle injury and a bout with Covid. "It's all behind me now," he said. "It's a new year. That's how I'm looking at it."
• Personnel combinations:
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Danton Heinen/Radim Zohorna-Evgeni Malkin-Evan Rodrigues
Aston-Reese-Drew O'Connor-Brock McGinn
Sam Lafferty/Kasper Bjorkqvist-Brian Boyle-Anthony Angello
The six defensmen rotated within two groups: Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang-Chad Ruhwedel and Marcus Pettersson-Juuso Riikola-Mark Friedman
Power play No. 1: Malkin, Letang, Crosby, Guentzel and Rust.
Power play No. 2: Pettersson, Riikola, Rodrigues, Heinen and Angello.
