Rangers forward Artemi Panarin enters COVID protocol

Shortly ahead of their matinee game Sunday against Tampa Bay, New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol along with assistant coach Mike Kelly, according to the team. In a corresponding move, the team recalled forward Morgan Barron from the taxi squad to have an extra forward on the active roster.

The 30-year-old Panarin has 10 goals and 26 assists through 31 games this year to lead the team in points. It will be just his second missed game of the season.

Panarin played the Rangers’ two post-holiday break games after leaving the team’s December 15 game against Arizona with an undisclosed injury.

If Panarin is out for the five-day quarantine period, he’ll miss three games. He could return January 8 against Anaheim, missing games against Tampa Bay, Edmonton, and Vegas.