Zaitsev becomes Senators' 9th player on growing COVID-19 list

The Ottawa Senators placed defenseman Nikita Zaitsev in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol prior to their loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the team announced Thursday.

Ottawa's COVID-19 list now features nine players from the active roster. The club sidelined goaltender Matt Murray and winger Alex Formenton earlier Thursday morning.

Connor Brown, Josh Brown, Dylan Gambrell, Nick Holden, Victor Mete, and Austin Watson, as well as associate coach Jack Capuano, are all in the protocol.

Forward Andrew Agozzino and defensemen Dillon Heatherington and Lassi Thomson were recalled in corresponding moves. Thomson made his NHL debut in Zaitsev's absence.