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The Penguins string of COVID related troubles has grown in recent days and has gotten worse- the team announced they will be without their head coach for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
More bad news to report.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 4, 2021
Head coach Mike Sullivan will not be available for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers due to COVID-related protocols. Assistant coach Todd Reirden will assume Sullivan’s duties behind the bench tonight in his absence.
Tonight will be the first game missed for Sidney Crosby, Brian Dumoulin, Marcus Pettersson and Chad Ruhwedel, who have all tested positive in recent days.
The Pens are starting to resemble the San Jose Sharks, unfortunately, who have seven players currently in COVID protocol and are also without their head coach.
The one bright note, if there is one for losing Sullivan, is that the Pens will still have a fairly full coaching staff. Todd Reirden has experience as an NHL head coach before. They still have Mike Velucci and skills coach Ty Hennes has been coaching from behind the bench this season as well.
But the loss of the strong coach who has led them to such success over the past six years will be the latest challenge in a season that has been flush with them.
The Pens only announced “COVID-related protocols” and not an official, confirmed positive test, which could mean a short stint away from the team if that ends up being the case. For the Pens right now, that would be the first piece of good news in a while.
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