Zdeno Chara seventh Islanders player in COVID-19 protocol

The New York Islanders are enduring a nightmare November, and things are only getting worse for them ahead of Thanksgiving.

Per Brian Compton of the NHL's website, veteran defenseman Zdeno Chara tested positive for the coronavirus Monday and became the seventh Islanders player to enter the league's COVID-19 protocol. Forwards Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, Kieffer Bellows and Ross Johnston, along with defensemen Adam Pelech and Andy Greene, were already sidelined due to coronavirus-related reasons, and Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters Tuesday none of those seven individuals will clear protocol by Wednesday's matchup against the 11-4-3 New York Rangers. 

Additionally, the Islanders are without center Brock Nelson (lower body) and defenseman Ryan Pulock (lower body) because of injury setbacks amid their six-game losing streak that has dropped them to 5-8-2 overall. Despite these hardships, Lamoriello said the league hasn't yet postponed any future contests.

"There is no decision, to my knowledge," Lamoriello said of potential schedule changes. "We're preparing to play unless we hear otherwise." 

The Ottawa Senators recently returned to on-ice work after three of their games were postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak. Ottawa fell to 4-11-1 on the season via Monday's 7-5 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.