JAKE ALLEN

Brad Marchand scored two goals 15 seconds apart in the first period and completed the hat trick with a short-handed goal in the second, leading the Boston Bruins to a 5-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Ondrej Palat scored 36 seconds into overtime after Tampa Bay teammate Corey Perry tied it late in the third period, and the Lightning beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in the first NHL game following an extended holiday break.

Forwards Andrew Cogliano, Jonathan Dahlen and Matt Nieto, defensemen Erik Karlsson, Jake Middleton, Radim Simek and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, along with Boughner were sidelined. The team did not confirm that any of the players or Boughner tested positive, just that they were placed in COVID-19 protocol. Sharks center Logan Couture also missed the game due to feeling ill, but the Sharks' captain was not placed in the league’s COVID-19 protocol, the team said. Sharks assistant coach John MacLean assumed head coaching duties. Barracuda forward Noah Grego was also placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Seven members of the Sharks and coach Bob Boughner were placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Saturday, delaying the start of San Jose’s game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has voluntarily entered the NHL/NHL Players’ Association joint player assistance program.

The league released the protected lists of all 30 teams eligible for the expansion draft Sunday morning, July 18. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack, File) (Phelan Ebenhack)SEATTLE — (AP) — The first roster for the Seattle Kraken won’t include Carey Price. The Montreal Canadiens goaltender was not selected by the Kraken in the NHL expansion draft, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision. But early indications are Seattle will emerge from the expansion draft well under the $81.5 million cap, potentially by $20 million or more. It was one of at least two signings the Kraken got done before submitting their expansion draft selections.

Stanley Cup Hockey Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) plays the puck during the first period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack) (Phelan Ebenhack)After backstopping the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final, Carey Price has been left unprotected for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. The 2015 MVP and Vezina Trophy winner is the biggest star left unprotected for the Kraken to select, but there's plenty of other talent available. St. Louis winger Vladimir Tarasenko is an option two years removed from hoisting the Stanley Cup after asking the Blues for a trade. The league released the protected lists of all 30 teams eligible for the expansion draft Sunday morning. ___Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Goaltender Carey Price has been exposed to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft after backstopping the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final.

The NHL eased some of its COVID-19 health and safety protocols over the weekend for clubs that have been fully vaccinated. “The government rules are different,” said Byron, the Canadiens’ NHL Players’ Association representative. You’ve got to make the most of it.”Under the NHL’s new regulations, those fully vaccinated can dine outdoors or inside, visit a teammate or coach’s hotel room, play golf and have other social gatherings without masking or distancing requirements. Just over one-third of Americans have been fully vaccinated compared to about 3% in Canada. The NHL was the last of the major four North American pro sports leagues to announce relaxed virus protocols for teams based on individual vaccination levels.

Many draft-eligible prospects and NHL teams attempting to pick them face an uncertain future after many leagues were unable to hold full seasons or play at all because of the pandemic.