:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69513942/1324604853.0.jpg)
Montreal Canadiens forward Joel Armia has been removed from COVID-19 protocol and has been cleared for a return.
Luke Richardson says that Joel Armia has been given clearance to travel to Tampa and is traveling there via private jet. Lineup decisions will be made closer to puck drop. #GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 28, 2021
Assistant coach Luke Richardson said that Armia will take a private plane from Montreal and be available for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final in Tampa Bay on Monday night. He will be a game-time decision. If he is not able to play, Jake Evans will take his spot.
It was the second time that Armia was put on the COVID unavailable list. Having been cleared so quickly, it is likely that this was a false positive test that was confirmed with a negative test.
Armia has been a mainstay on the Canadiens line with Corey Perry and Eric Staal, and has five goals and three assists in 17 playoff games this year.
Canadiens interim head coach Dominique Ducharme will return to the team for Game 3 at the Bell Centre on Friday night.
Puck drop for Game 1 will be 8:00 p.m.