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Alex Pietrangelo placed in COVID-19 protocol

As the Vegas Golden Knights continue to see their coaching staff be added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list, they also added their first player to that list on Thursday as defenseman Alex Pietrangelo entered protocol.

So far this season, Pietrangelo has one goal and three assists in seven games and is averaging 25:37 per game.

This does not guarantee that Pietrangelo tested positive for COVID-19, however. The protocols cover a lot of things. For example, the Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller was away from his team due to a close contact. Players may also experience false positives.

Teams are not allowed to say why players or staff were put on the COVID-19 protocol list.

The Golden Knights’ game against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. General manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed Tuesday that a member of the Golden Knights coaching staff tested positive. Another coach has entered protocol, as well.

Pietrangelo is currently the only player on the team to be put on protocol. Contact tracing could result in more, however that’s also not guaranteed.

Going through protocol means Pietrangelo will be away from the team for some period of time. Players on the protocol list are not allowed to travel, play or practice with their teams.

In addition, those players put on the list are not allowed to train or exercise as they isolate and go through contact tracing.

The Golden Knights are next scheduled to play Monday against the San Jose Sharks in Glendale, Arizona, but it’s unclear if that series will take place.