Bruins' Charlie Coyle added to COVID protocol, out vs. Capitals

After the list had already come out for Wednesday, Charlie Coyle of the Boston Bruins was added to the COVID Protocol. The veteran forward will not play Wednesday night for the Bruins.

To be clear, inclusion on the CPRA list does not mean that a player has tested positive for coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:

"(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol."

Coyle’s appearance in the protocol does not mean he will be out for any length of time other than Wednesday night’s game, or that there has been any spread throughout the Bruins locker room. Still, it’s concerning at least for tonight, just over an hour before the opening faceoff between the Bruins and Washington Capitals.

Boston will have to go without Coyle, who had been playing well of late and has eight points in 19 games this season. The 29-year-old forward scored two goals in his last game and is an important part of the Bruins’ secondary scoring. The versatile forward has lined up at both center and the wing, while seeing time on both the powerplay and penalty kill.