New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz placed in COVID-19 protocol

New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz and defenseman Ryan Pulock were placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol on Tuesday.

Trotz just returned to the team Saturday after taking a leave of absence. Pulock hasn't played since Nov. 15 because of a lower-body injury.

New York hasn't played since Jan. 1. It had a four-game trip to play the Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames postponed because of pandemic-related attendance restrictions in Canada.

The Islanders have won three of four heading into Thursday night's game against New Jersey.

Dallas Stars goaltender Braden Holtby and forward Denis Gurianov also were placed in the protocol Tuesday. Same for Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe and trainer Mike Gapski.

Dallas returned last week after missing six games over 2 weeks because of virus issues. Holtby made 29 saves during Sunday's 2-1 loss to St. Louis.

McCabe and Gapski were ruled out for the Blackhawks' game at Columbus on Tuesday night.

"We're always concerned, right? Especially the way things are right now," Blackhawks interim coach Derek King said. "I think a lot of teams are getting hit. It's off and on. You never know day to day. It could be spread through us. It could not be. Whatever it is, we just deal with it."