24 x 7 World News

Joel Armia, Canadiens forward,┬аin COVID-19 protocol on eve of Stanley Cup final

0

Montreal Canadiens forward Joel Armia has been placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and won’t travel with the team for the start of the Stanley Cup final on Monday against the Lightning in Tampa, Fla.

General manager Marc Bergevin made the announcement after Armia was not at practice in Montreal before the Canadiens travelled to play the Lightning.

Game 1 of the final goes Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

A player on the protocol list has not necessarily tested positive for COVID-19. Players who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive, for example, are also on the list.

Armia spent 19 days in the protocol from March 22 to April 9.

WATCH | Artturi Lehkonen’s OT goal sends Canadiens to Cup final:

Artturi Lehkonen’s first point of the series is the Game 6 clinching goal as the Habs head to the Stanley Cup final. 2:07

The Finnish forward is having a productive post-season, posting career highs with five goals and eight points in 17 playoff games.

The Canadiens are also without interim coach Dominique Ducharme, who remains in isolation since testing positive for COVID-19 on June 18.

Assistant coach Luke Richardson has taken over bench duties, with Ducharme not scheduled to return until the Canadiens host Game 3 on Friday.

WATCH |┬аSt├йphan Lebeau┬аsees similarities between Habs,┬а1993 team:

Montreal Canadiens forward from 1989-94 St├йphan Lebeau says they may be underdogs but the Habs’ level of play as a team in these playoffs is what’s most striking, and it reminds him of his 1993 team. 1:49

Leave a Reply