Oilers' Tippett placed in COVID protocol

Edmonton Oilers head coach Dave Tippett has been placed in COVID protocol, the team announced Tuesday.

The veteran bench boss tested positive for the virus, associate coach Jim Playfair said postgame. That means he'll miss a minimum of 10 days.

Tippett was not behind the bench on Tuesday for the team's 5-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs due to precautionary reasons.

Playfair added he'll run the defense and assistant coach Glen Gulutzan will run the forwards in Tippett's absence.

Oilers forward Ryan McLeod was one of 18 NHL players added to COVID-19 protocol on Tuesday.

Tippett is in his third season as coach of the Oilers. He led the team to a 16-10-0 record heading into Tuesday's game.

The Oilers activated defenseman Duncan Keith off injured reserve. He hadn't played since Nov. 23 due to an upper-body injury.

Rookie blue-liner Philip Broberg was loaned to the AHL in a corresponding move.

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