Montreal Canadiens coach Claude Julien was admitted to a hospital in Toronto after suffering chest pain after his team’s game on Wednesday night.
Montreal GM Berg Berg Bergevin said he did not believe the problem was related to COVID-19, but Julien went through testing on Thursday.
“He is certainly in really good hands,” Bergevin said Thursday. “I talked to him this morning and we are currently hoping for the best for him.”
Kirk Muller will take on head coaching duties for the remainder of the Philadelphia series. Montreal lost 2-1 to the Flyers in Game 1 of their quarterfinal series on Wednesday. Game 2 is Friday.
Julien, 60, is coaching the Canadiens in his second stint. He led the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011.
Canadian captain Shea Weber said that Bergevin told him at the practice that Julien was in the hospital. The news streamed through the team and then Bergevin held a team meeting.
The 12th-seeded Canadiens were the last team included in the NHL’s extended 24-team tournament, but drew a boost from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the qualifying round.
Bergevin said the team still had protocols for Julien possibly allowing the Canadians to get involved in the bubble.
“No decision has been made yet,” Bergevin said. “Possible Claude will return to hotel, more likely he will return home. We do not have the details yet.”
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