The Penguins, at least for now, are ready to roll.
The team will scrimmage Sunday night at PPG Paints Arena, this a day after canceling Saturday’s practice due to COVID-19 precautionary measures.
But, a day later, the Pens will take the ice to simulate a game, their last chance to do so before Wednesday’s season opener in Philadelphia.
Sunday morning, Mike Sullivan warned against reading too much into what players are not apart of the scrimmage or upcoming practices, saying that a positive COVID-19 test may not be the cause.
Sullivan sent his players home Saturday, as uncertainty crept into Pittsburgh’s hockey season for the first time in 2021. But Sullivan knows these measures are a necessity.
“I’m really confident, I have a lot of faith in the league,” Sullivan said. “I think the league has done a terrific job trying to navigate through this pandemic. And I have a lot of confidence that they’ll continue to try to implement protocols that continue to keep everyone as safe as possibly can be, understanding that we’re all going to assume some risk. That’s the world that we live in.”
Instead of on-ice work, the Penguins have been able to utilize virtual training and film sessions while keeping players either entirely separated or distanced from each other.
“As a coaching staff, we’re really going to focus on our team and the process of trying to improve and get better and be competitive,” Sullivan said. “If the protocols get in the way, or force us to have to make decision, then we will make those decisions accordingly.
“Our focus right now is on those things that we can control and that’s trying to take this team and improve each and every day.”
Sullivan did have positive news to relay, as forward Kasperi Kapanen has arrived in the United States following immigration issues in Finland. Kapanen, who was traded for in August, has received his first COVID-19 test and is quarantining. He will not be available for Wednesday’s game against the Flyers.
Sunday's scrimmage will feature three 18-minute periods, with 15-minute intermissions and a focus on 3-on-3 work. It will begin at 6 p.m.