Penguins defenseman Kris Letang returned to the team yesterday after battling covid-19, but two of his blue-line teammates, Chad Ruhwedel and Marcus Pettersson, were confirmed as positive for the virus and are now in isolation. Coach Mike Sullivan said Ruhwedel is asymptomatic but Pettersson is showing mild symptoms. Defenseman P-O Joseph has returned to the Penguins from Wilkes Barre-Scranton.
Sullivan says Letang passed his final test, a cardiomyopathy checkup, yesterday morning. He skated very briefly and the coach hopes he will be able to get back to the lineup soon.
Sullivan says the recent covid-19 infections are more bad luck than bad conduct by the players. The entire team is vaccinated and they are following pre-vaccination protocols to try to keep the virus at bay. The Penguins are not scheduled to practice as a team today.
Defenseman Brian Dumoulin said it was good to see “Tanger” back with the team. He’s been forced to skate with numerous partners since Letang tested positive. Dumoulin says communication is the key when you are working with an unfamiliar defensive mate, and he noted that last year, when he was out of the lineup with an injury.
At yesterday’s practice, Dumoulin skated on his off side, paired with Mike Matheson. Slumping forward Kasperi Kapanen was demoted to the fourth line, where he skated with Brian Boyle and Drew O’Connor. Sullivan said Kapanen needs to find consistency in his game.
The Penguins play the Flyers on Thursday at PPG Paints Arena.
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