Joel Armia, Canadiens forward, in COVID-19 protocol on eve of Stanley Cup final

Montreal Canadiens forward Joel Armia has been placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol and won't travel with the team for the start of the Stanley Cup final on Monday against the Lightning in Tampa, Fla.

General manager Marc Bergevin made the announcement after Armia was not at practice in Montreal before the Canadiens travelled to play the Lightning.

Game 1 of the final goes Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

A player on the protocol list has not necessarily tested positive for COVID-19. Players who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive, for example, are also on the list.

Armia spent 19 days in the protocol from March 22 to April 9.

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The Canadiens are also without interim coach Dominique Ducharme, who remains in isolation since testing positive for COVID-19 on June 18.

Assistant coach Luke Richardson has taken over bench duties, with Ducharme not scheduled to return until the Canadiens host Game 3 on Friday.

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