Ducks coach Dallas Eakins tests positive for COVID-19

The 19-16-7 Anaheim Ducks will be without head coach Dallas Eakins when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night. 

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Eakins tested positive for COVID-19 and won't be available to work behind the bench for at least Friday's matchup. His status beyond the opening night of the weekend is up in the air. 

Assistant coach Mike Stothers will be Anaheim's head man during Eakins' absence and takes over at a rough time for the club. The Ducks have lost four straight games and five of six. Per the NHL's official website, Anaheim hasn't recorded a goal in its past 1:33:54 of action. 

On Tuesday, the Ducks confirmed that assistant coach Geoff Ward and video coach Joe Piscotty entered the league's COVID-19 protocol. Anaheim also had defensemen Cam Fowler and Josh Manson, winger Troy Terry, and backup goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the protocol as of Friday afternoon. 

"It's not the ideal situation, but every team has dealt with it. We're just going to do the best we can and weather the storm," Stothers said of the club's recent coronavirus-related issues. 

Anaheim begins the evening third in the Pacific Division standings with 45 points, five points back of the first-place Vegas Golden Knights.