Coyotes put Dzingel in COVID-19 protocols; Chychrun activated

The Arizona Coyotes have placed forward Ryan Dzingel in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols, the team announced on Wednesday.

Dzingel’s addition marks the second in as many days for the Coyotes after placing veteran forward Antoine Roussel in the league’s protocols on Tuesday.

The forward has four goals and two assists in 20 games this season. Dzingel netted both of the Coyotes’ goals in Arizona’s 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Gila River Arena on Jan. 12.

There was some good news for the Coyotes on Wednesday, however.

Jakob Chychrun — who led the NHL in goals for a defenseman (18) last season — was seen on the ice during morning skate ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup with the New Jersey Devils.

⁦@ArizonaCoyotes⁩ D Jacob Chychrun directing traffic on the ice this AM in Newark. See ya tonight for game one of this east coast swing on ⁦@BALLYSPORTSAZ⁩. pic.twitter.com/I2TgvprBsD

— Todd Walsh (@ToddWalsh) January 19, 2022

He was activated ahead of Wednesday night’s game and is set to play.

The Coyotes defenseman hasn’t played since Dec. 10 against the Florida Panthers due to an upper-body injury and being in COVID-19 protocols.

In addition to Chychrun, D Kyle Capobianco, D Anton Stralman and former Devils goaltender Scott Wedgewood were all listed on the Coyotes’ active roster for Arizona’s first of a four-game East Coast road trip.

Arizona head coach Andre Tourigny told reporters pregame that either Chrychrun or Capobianco will play in New Jersey, but not both.

“It will be Capobianco or Chychrun,” Tourigny said. “If Chychrun is good to go, he will go and Capobianco will not play. Stralman should be back, so that’s a game-time decision.”

The Coyotes face off against the Devils at 5 p.m. on ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2.

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