Blues' Brayden Schenn, Colton Parayko placed in COVID protocol

The St. Louis Blues are still likely celebrating from their last-minute regulation win Sunday, but when they start preparing for Thursday’s tilt against the Seattle Kraken, they'll be without two key players. Brayden Schenn and Colton Parayko have both been placed in the COVID protocol.

They join Vladimir Tarasenko, Scott Perunovich and Jake Walman there, though those players will be soon eligible to return. Schenn and Parayko will not be eligible for Thursday’s game if they tested positive, whether they’re symptomatic or not. The next game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday is also in jeopardy and likely won’t have at least these two active.

That’s a big blow, especially given how much Parayko has played this season for the Blues. The 6-6 defenseman is averaging more than 24 minutes this season, the highest of his career, and has 16 points in 36 games. Schenn meanwhile is having a disappointing year and has played just 22 games, only activated from injured reserve a week ago.