Boston’s Brad Marchand is one of many saying a choice should have been offered before barring players from going to the Olympics.

The Bruins have not played since Dec. 16 and now have until the end of April to jam in 56 games, unless the league extends the season.

Charlie Coyle is joined by Taylor Hall, Brandon Carlo and Oskar Steen in the COVID-19 protocols for Boston, which hopes to return to play Wednesday.

Whether it’s Charlie McAvoy playing for Team USA or David Pastrnak for Czechia, Boston players are saddened by another missed opportunity to play in the Olympics.

Boston has 10 players in the COVID protocol, though it hopes to have some of the back in time for practice on Sunday.

Boston adds four more players to the COVID-19 list, for a total of seven, and suffers its second straight loss.

Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron is added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list, which now includes 17 members of the Flames.

Coach Bruce Cassidy returns from COVID-19 protocols, but Boston loses Brad Marchand and Craig Smith to protocols just before losing to Vegas, 4-1.

Brad Marchand and Craig Smith have been placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and could miss up to six games starting Tuesday night against Vegas.

Boston is coming off impressive wins in Edmonton and Calgary, heading into a busy stretch of four games in six days starting Tuesday.