Penguins Practice: Jarry, Blueger, Kapanen, Boyle Back

There were some promising signs at the Pittsburgh Penguins’ practice Tuesday from a personnel standpoint. Most notably, No. 1 goaltender Tristan Jarry returned to practice after he was in COVID-19 protocol.

Center Teddy Blueger, who came out of COVID-19 protocol Sunday but did not play that day, and winger Kasperi Kapanen, who has been in the protocol, also practiced at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, as did center Brian Boyle, who was away from the team a for a few days for the birth of son Callum.

Center Jeff Carter, who went into the protocol last week, was not on the ice. Neither was forward Drew O’Connor, who is the first player this week to be added to the COVID-19 protocol. Forward Anthony Angello was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

Jarry missed Sunday’s 8-5 win over the San Jose Sharks, the Penguins’ first game in two weeks, because he was in COVID-19 protocol. Coach Mike Sullivan had described Jarry as having “mild symptoms” from the virus.

Getting Jarry back would be timely with back-to-back games Wednesday at home against St. Louis and Thursday at Philadelphia — not to mention that backup Casey DeSmith did not look to be at his best Sunday.

Jarry is 15-5-4, has won his past five starts and is among the NHL leaders with a 1.93 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.

Third goalie Louis Domingue worked out on the ice before practice, an indication he might be headed back to the taxi squad if Jarry becomes available. He backed up DeSmith Sunday.

Second-line center Evgeni Malkin continued to practice in a full capacity. Friday, in his first public comments since he had right knee surgery in June, he said he thought he was still a week to 10 days away from making his season debut. We will see.

Kapanen took up his normal spot on right wing alongside Malkin on the second line. Blueger centered the third line, and Boyle centered the fourth line.

Before practice, injured winger Jason Zucker also worked out on the ice. He is considered week to week because of a lower-body injury.