The NHL is postponing two more games this weekend as COVID-19 cases continue to rise around the league.
Sources told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan that Saturday’s Tampa Bay vs. Colorado and Florida vs. Minnesota games will both be shelved. That’s in addition to Friday morning’s announcement that Boston will not face Montreal on Saturday.
As of Friday morning, the Avalanche had five players in COVID-19 protocols: Andre Burakovsky, J.T. Compher, Darcy Kuemper, Cale Makar and Devon Toews.
The Panthers were missing seven players total: Sam Bennett, Radko Gudas, Aaron Ekblad, Frank Vatrano, Ryan Lomberg, Brandon Montour and Carter Verhaeghe.
Boston has been dealing with its own COVID problems, having Patrice Bergeron, Anton Blidh, Trent Frederic, Brad Marchand, Craig Smith, Oskar Steen and Jeremy Swayman unavailable.
All three teams — Boston, Florida and Colorado — played on Thursday night with limited rosters. The NHL has to this point made no move to pause the NHL season as COVID-19 cases spread, but the more games that are postponed, the less likely it is that a revamped NHL schedule will allow for players to take a three-week break in February for the Olympic Games in Beijing.
The NHL has mandated enhanced protocols for NHL teams, including daily testing and restrictions for players and staff on the road. Those are in effect until at least mid-January.
Source: www.espn.com