Less than two weeks after returning from a two-game postponement due to eight players in COVID-19 protocols, the Islanders have been hit with another COVID-related absence.
Head coach Barry Trotz told reporters on Tuesday that Mathew Barzal has entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols and will miss Tuesday night’s game against the Red Wings.
The news comes shortly after New York had to postpone games against the Rangers and Flyers, as well as shut down their practice facility, due to eight players being placed on the COVID-19 list.
“We’ve had a lot of guys that have had it, so they should be good for at least 90 days,” head coach Barry Trotz said on Tuesday. “So almost half our team should be pretty good, I think. I think we’ve been doing everything in terms of all the protocols that we need to do. It’s a virus, someone picked it up and we move on.”
Barzal’s placement on the COVID-19 list means he will likely be out until after Christmas, as a 10-day absence would take him up to New York’s Dec. 23 game against the Capitals, and the Islanders have off until Dec. 27 after that, a road matchup with the Sabres. Barzal would have to miss 10 days if he is symptomatic, but could return earlier if he tests negative in consecutive days.
Barzal represents a brutal loss for New York, as the veteran center has 17 points on the season thanks to five goals and 12 assists.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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