Claude Giroux and Ivan Provorov enter COVID-19 protocols

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that forward Claude Giroux and defenseman Ivan Provorov have entered the league’s COVID-19 protocols ahead of tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks. A team staff member was also placed in protocols, according to the Flyers.

Giroux and Provorov are now two of four players in protocols for Philadelphia, as defenseman Nick Seeler and forward Jackson Cates entered protocols just last evening.

Giroux currently leads the Flyers in scoring and has been Philadelphia’s best player this season. The captain has racked up 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 32 games so far and has been consistent all year long, and his absence will be huge up front for the Flyers.

Provorov was in the midst of a 403-game iron man streak, which was the fourth-longest in the league for active players behind teammate Keith Yandle, Arizona’s Phil Kessel, and San Jose’s Brent Burns. He has scored 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points in 32 contests this year and once again leads the team in ice time with 24:26 per game. Losing him is probably the biggest blow in all of this considering how poorly the defense has played lately.

These are both huge losses for the Philadelphia lineup and Mike Yeo will have to scramble to put together a team for tonight. Defenseman Cam York has been activated from the taxi squad and will suit up for his first game of the year against his hometown Ducks in Anaheim, and forward Scott Laughton will likely draw into the lineup after being activated from protocols. Forwards Gerry Mayhew and Max Willman were also recalled from the taxi squad and will play tonight.