Brett Howden Added to NHL’s COVID Protocol List

Brett Howden will not play tonight as he’s been added to the league’s COVID-19 protocol list.

Brett Howden unavailable for #NYR tonight against Sabres after landing on NHL COVID protocol list. Howden scored empty-netter at Capitals on Saturday night.

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 22, 2021

Phil Di Giuseppe, David Quinn, Jacques Martin, David Oliver, and Greg Brown also remain sidelined for the time being.

Howden skated with the New York Rangers during Saturday’s game vs. the Washington Capitals where he picked up his first goal of the season and his first tally since February 28, 2020. The empty-netter was Howden’s 16th career goal, and came after Ryan Strome passed up an opportunity to bury the puck in the net himself.

The addition of Howden to the COVID-19 list doesn’t necessarily mean he’s tested positive, as there’s the chance he’s a close contact of someone who tested positive. What we know is that he’ll be out for at least tonight, and the Rangers will have time to weigh their options as they play next on Thursday March 25 vs. the Philadelphia Flyers.