Penguins to re-implement daily COVID-19 testing after two positive tests among team

With two players testing positive for COVID-19 within the last week, the Penguins are ramping up testing protocols within the team, and going a step further than what the NHL requires.

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said Sunday that the team would be bringing back daily testing for the virus. Earlier in the week, the team announced that Zach Aston-Reese tested positive for the virus, and announced Sunday that Jake Guentzel did the same.

Daily testing is not a league requirement, but after two positive tests within a week, the Penguins will be testing more than is mandated.

Prior to this week, the team had been doing testing every few days.

NHL.com correspondent Wes Crosby noted that Sullivan and players who were made available to media on Sunday were wearing masks, as well.

Sullivan also added that the team may bring back elements of social distancing in the locker room to help prevent any further spread of the virus.

Going a step above the required testing mandates and adding elements of social distancing could presumably help the team catch any more positive cases within the team before they spread rapidly, helping to prevent the team from a full shutdown.

General Manager Ron Hextall recently said that all players but one were vaccinated against COVID-19, with the lone player who was not, expected to be vaccinated soon.

It’s unclear when Aston-Reese or Guentzel will clear the league's COVID-19 protocol.