Sidney Crosby in COVID-19 protocol, to miss Pittsburgh Penguins' game

Pittsburgh Penguins captainSidney Crosby has been placed on the COVID-19 protocols list and is not available for Tuesday's game against the Flyers.

"We didn't have a morning skate this morning due to the NHL's COVID protocol," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said.

Crosby, 33, leads the team in scoring with seven goals and 11 assists in 20 games. He was held off the scoresheet in Pittsburgh's 2-0 loss to the Islanders Sunday.

The news comes a day after the NHL had a season-low four players in the COVID-19 protocol.

Pittsburgh currently sits fifth in the highly competitive East Division, two points behind the Flyers. Philadelphia swept a pair from the Penguins at home to start the season. The cross-state rivals are playing in Pittsburgh on both Tuesday and Thursday.

Tuesday night's game will be the first game with fans in attendance at PPG Paints Arena since last March. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf eased coronavirus restrictions on Monday, allowing 15% attendance at indoor venues. The Penguins plan to cap attendance at 2,800 fans.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.