The Washington Capitals announced Wednesday afternoon that center Evgeny Kuznetsov is in COVID-19 protocol and is unavailable to the team.

#Caps center Evgeny Kuznetsov is unavailable due to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 15, 2021

Assuming Kuznetsov tested positive, this would be his third bout with COVID.

Lars Eller was the first Capitals player to enter COVID protocol this season. He entered protocol when the team was starting their annual west coast road trip.

Nic Dowd and Trevor van Riemsdyk just came out of protocols while Garnet Hathaway remains in protocols. Goalie coach Scott Murray is also still in protocols.

#Caps activate center Nicklas Backstrom from injured non-roster list and center Nic Dowd and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk from COVID protocol list. #Caps also place forward Anthony Mantha on LTI list.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 15, 2021

After having three games postponed due to COVID-19 issues this week, the Calgary Flames’ placed seven players (including star goaltender Jacob Markstrom and left-wing Johnny Gaudreau), head coach Darryl Sutter and two assistant coaches, and seven support staff members in COVID-19 protocol on Wednesday.

The Predators also announced on Wednesday that six players (C Mikael Granlund, C Ryan Johansen, C Matt Luff, C Michael McCarron, C Philip Tomasino, and D Ben Harpur) in addition to head coach John Hynes, assistants Dan Lambert and Todd Richards, and goaltending coach Ben Vanderklok have been placed on COVID-19 protocol.

As expected, the NHL is implementing enhanced protocols in next step of defending against the current wave of COVID-19. The protocols will be league wide through Jan 7, but will be revisited early in the New Year and could be extended.

The NHLPA will hold an executive board call tonight (32 player reps) to discuss and answer any questions on the enhanced protocols.

By Jon Sorensen