Kris Letang
FILE - Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates his first-period goal with Bryan Rust (17) during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, in this Thursday, April 22, 2021, file photo. In a way, the NHL's COVID-19 protocols may have been a blessing to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The rules forced the Penguins to basically hole up in the hotel while on the road, offering them time to build chemistry, one of the main reasons they were able to win their first division title in seven years. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Chemistry 101: COVID-19 protocols helped Pens bond quickly

By Will Graves May. 12, 2021 05:03 PM EDT

Buffalo Sabres forward Curtis Lazar (27) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Devils, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
NHL revises virus protocols; Colorado is 5th team shut down

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 04, 2021 11:34 AM EST

Pittsburgh Penguins' Pierre-Olivier Joseph celebrates the game winning goal by Sidney Crosby against New York Rangers' Alexandar Georgiev (40) in an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in New York. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)
Penguins trying to take advantage of unexpected layoff

Feb. 02, 2021 05:02 PM EST

FILE - In this April 26, 2019, file photo, the Stanley Cup playoffs logo is seen on the ice during a light and sound check prior to Game 1 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes, in New York. The NHL nailed down the final details of a playoff format if the season can resume on the same day word came out that another player has tested positive for the coronavirus.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
NHL: Players can start voluntary group workouts next week

By Stephen Whyno Jun. 04, 2020 03:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2019, file photo, Philadelphia Flyers' Claude Giroux controls the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights in Philadelphia. Among the unknowns about the NHL returning amid the coronavirus pandemic is what the on-ice product might look like. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
NHL post-quarantine: Recapturing team chemistry a challenge

By Stephen Whyno Jun. 02, 2020 02:12 PM EDT