Canadiens' Sami Niku: Placed in COVID-19 protocols

Niku entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Thursday.

Niku has been limited to just nine games for Montreal this season in which he recorded three assists, eight shots and five hits while averaging 14:36 of ice time. Even once cleared to rejoin the team, Niku is far from a lock for the lineup and will likely have to watch from the press box periodically.