Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron added to COVID protocol

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 12/15/21

Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron is now part of what has been a rough few days for the NHL as the team announced Wednesday he was added to the league's COVID-19 protocol.

Bruins forwards Brad Marchand and Craig Smith were added to the protocol ahead of Tuesday's game against the Golden Knights, which Vegas won 4-1.

Marchand's positive test was revealed after he had practiced earlier in the day.

The Brad Marchand news is especially interesting in light of the fact that he took part in today’s morning skate.
— Amalie Benjamin (@AmalieBenjamin) December 14, 2021

The Bruins' issues are just the latest in what has become a COVID-centric week for the NHL. As of Tuesday, more than 20 players across the league had gone into the protocol, and the numbers are continuing to rise.

We've seen 23 players added to the NHL's Covid Protocol list inside the last 36 hours.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 14, 2021

The outbreak within the Calgary Flames dressing room already led to three of the team's games being postponed, and more games could be halted as cases continue to rise.

Flames' outbreak still peaking. Brutal news. Obviously their shutdown will be extended one assumes https://t.co/2Agn3Bl9TR
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 15, 2021

#Flames lineup on Saturday vs. #Flames lineup today. pic.twitter.com/R7k3abrCtb
— Daily Faceoff - Fantasy (@DFOFantasy) December 15, 2021

Carolina also had a few players test positive this week.

There is no word yet on whether the outbreak will cause the league to put the season on pause or also retract from participating in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Doctors from the NHL and NHLPA reportedly had a phone call on Tuesday night to discuss next steps. At the very least, it's expected the league will beef up health and safety restrictions.

With rash of COVID cases in the NHL this week — including nearly the entire Flames roster — expect NHL & NHLPA to announce enhanced protocols.

Daily testing, mandatory masks, limited community interactions.

Many NHL players have been boosted, but league hasn’t mandated it.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) December 15, 2021

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