Isles add Chara to COVID-19 list; Nelson out 2-4 weeks with injury

The New York Islanders placed defenseman Zdeno Chara in COVID-19 protocol, general manager Lou Lamoriello announced Tuesday.

New York also announced forward Brock Nelson will miss two-to-four weeks with a lower-body injury. The 30-year-old leads all Islanders with nine goals and 11 points in 15 games this season. He exited Sunday's contest versus the Toronto Maple Leafs after logging just 6:58 of ice time.

The Islanders called up defenseman Thomas Hickey and forward Anatoli Golyshev from the AHL to fill the roster.

Chara, 44, is the latest Islanders player to land on the list, joining captain Anders Lee, forwards Josh Bailey, Kieffer Bellows, and Ross Johnston, as well as defensemen Andy Greene and Adam Pelech.

Despite the growing list, Lamoriello said no decisions were made to postpone upcoming games after he spoke with the league Monday, so the Islanders are preparing to play.

The NHL postponed three of the Ottawa Senators' games after 10 players and an associate coach entered protocol.

Lamoriello added that other than Chara, there were no additional positive cases. None of the Islanders who tested positive have returned a negative test yet.

Winger Anthony Beauvillier was placed in protocol Saturday and missed the Islanders' 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, but he was able to play Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs after his test was found to be a false positive.

It's been a tough start to the season for the Isles, who currently sit in last place in the Metropolitan Division with a 5-8-2 record.

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