Cozens, Lazar take part in rehab skate

Buffalo Sabres forwards Curtis Lazar and Dylan Cozens participated in a rehab skate Tuesday, a positive step toward their returns from the COVID-related absence list.
Lazar and Cozens were both added to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols on Feb. 6. They are two of four remaining Sabres on the COVID-related absence list along with forward Casey Mittelstadt and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

The five players who have come off the list include forwards Taylor Hall and Tobias Rieder and defensemen Rasmus Dahlin, Jake McCabe, and Brandon Montour. Dahlin was included as a close contact and tested negative throughout his time away from the team. Hall, Rieder, McCabe, and Montour all tested positive, though Hall was asymptomatic.
Hall, Rieder, and Dahlin played Monday. McCabe and Montour are eligible to play Tuesday, though coach Ralph Krueger said the lineup against the New York Islanders will be revealed during warmups.
By NHL guidelines, "COVID Protocol Related Absences" can be the result of a number of factors including, among others:
(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol;
(2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol;
(3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol;
(4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or;
(5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol.