If you thought the Penguins might benefit from the cancelled games against New Jersey and get some defenseman back before their next game it could still happen. Unfortunately, at the moment they are down yet another one.

John Marino is on the NHL COVID protocol list.

— Sean Gentille (@seangentille) February 3, 2021

This does not mean Marino has COVID, but the odds of him being ready for the Penguins next game is low.

The Penguins are down to only one defenseman available from their opening night roster and that player is… Cody Ceci. At the current moment Kris Letang, Brian Dumoulin, Mike Matheson, and Marcus Pettersson are all unavailable as is Juuso Riikola.

Still remaining is the young upstart Pierre Olivier Joseph, Cody Ceci, Chad Ruhwedel, Yannick Weber, and Kevin Czuczman. By my count that is only five. Mike Matheson has been skating recently, but it remains to be seen if he will be ready by Saturday.

In totally related news…

Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins are most injured NHL teams over past 10 seasons. At around 3,000 man games lost mark during that time. Pittsburgh has had a greater impact on the team from the quality their injuries (but have won 2 Stanley Cups) https://t.co/Vqmne8nuQ2 pic.twitter.com/wEKxPeSxlm

— Man-Games Lost NHL (@ManGamesLostNHL) February 3, 2021

Par for the course for the Penguins.

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