:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69037158/1230608188.0.jpg)
Two more Penguins players have been added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.
After not taking part in the team’s morning skate, word came down before Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders that center Mark Jankowski had been added to the list, making him unavailable for the game.
Penguins forward Mark Jankowski has been placed on the NHL's list of players unavailable due to covid-19 protocol.
— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) March 27, 2021
During the game against the Islanders, it was revealed that Brandon Tanev was also added to the league’s list.
Covid Protocol List...Up to Date:
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) March 27, 2021
Anaheim – Alexander Volkov
Boston – Jake DeBrusk; Sean Kuraly; Brad Marchand
Minnesota – Zach Parise
Montreal – Joel Armia; Jesperi Kotkaniemi
NY Rangers – Brett Howden
Pittsburgh – Mark Jankowski; Brandon Tanev
Vancouver – Travis Boyd
Being added to the league’s list doesn’t mean that a player has necessarily tested positive for COVID-19, as it often is a contact tracing issue, and payers are removed from the list in a number of days.
This comes at a time where the Penguins are already without the services of Evgeni Malkin, Jason Zucker, Kasperi Kapanen, and Teddy Blueger with injuries, so the timing of more players missing time due to the COVID protocol is less than ideal.
When Jankowski or Tanev could return to the lineup is unclear at this time.