Photo: NBC Sports
According to TSN’s Frank Seravalli, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list and will not suit up in the team’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday (7 PM ET, NBCSN).
Per the NHL’s press release, the reason a player is listed as “unavailable” due to COVID protocols includes: (1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons.
Crosby leads the Penguins in goals (seven), assists (11), and points (18) in 20 games this season. The Penguins enter Tuesday night’s game two points behind the Flyers for the fourth seed in the East Division, the final Stanley Cup Playoff spot.
The Penguins also host the Flyers on Thursday night. Tuesday’s game will be the first time fans will be allowed inside PPG Paints Arena. 2800 (15% capacity) will be allowed to sit in the stands.
The Penguins did not hold a morning skate prior to Tuesday’s game because of COVID-19 protocol.
Sidney Crosby has been placed on the #NHL‘s Covid-19 list and is not available tonight vs. #Flyers.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 2, 2021
By Harrison Brown
Tuesday’s game will be the first time fans will be allowed inside PPG Paints Arena. 2800 (15% capacity) will be allowed to sit in the stands.
I wonder how the concessionaires will respond. Will only 15% of them be available? Will all of them be there fighting for that 15% traffic? Who is making those decisions? Penguins? PPG Arena owners (might be Penguins, don’t know)? Concessionaires themselves? Pittsburgh?