Barzal, Marchand among 18 players added to COVID-19 protocol

A total of 18 players from across the NHL were placed on the league's COVID-19 protocol list Tuesday.

The Boston Bruins added forward Brad Marchand to the protocol, the team announced.

The New York Islanders announced forward Mathew Barzal also entered the protocol.

Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes placed Ian Cole, Steven Lorentz, Jordan Staal, and Andrei Svechnikov in the protocol after all four tested positive. The surge in cases prompted the postponement of Tuesday night's contest against the Minnesota Wild. Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis were placed in protocol Monday.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews, Bruins forward Craig Smith, Florida Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg, Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan McLeod, Vancouver Canucks players Luke Schenn, Juho Lammikko, Brad Hunt, and Tucker Poolman, and Calgary Flames players Milan Lucic, Noah Hanifin, and Sean Monahan were all put on the list earlier Tuesday.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Morgan Frost exited in the first period against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Interim head coach Mike Yeo revealed postgame that Frost had to be removed due to COVID-19 protocol, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Giana Han.

Like Frost, Vancouver defenseman Poolman was pulled midgame against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Flames are seemingly in the midst of an outbreak as nine of their players have been placed in the protocol since Monday. The club last played against the Bruins on Saturday night. The NHL has so far postponed three of Calgary's games through Dec. 16.

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