The National Hockey League and the Players’ Association have announced a hiatus from activities starting Wednesday and until Christmas Day inclusive, late Monday.
On Tuesday, there will only be the Washington-Philadelphia and Tampa Bay-Vegas games.
Following recent decisions, there were no more games scheduled for Wednesday. As for Thursday, the remaining five games that were on the schedule have been postponed.
There will therefore be a break on December 22, 23, 24 and 25, which includes, for the teams, not to travel.
Players will report back to their clubs on December 26 for training, scouting or travel purposes.
Upon returning from the break, any person traveling with a league team will not be able to enter a circuit facility without having a negative test (unless accessing it for screening).
The regular season will resume on Monday, December 27, including games between a Canadian club and an American team.
The Montreal Canadiens will play again on December 28, in Tampa.
Earlier Monday, we learned that the CH, Oilers, Senators and Blue Jackets were also on hiatus.
This was already the case for the Maple Leafs, Bruins, Avalanche, Red Wings, Panthers and Predators.
The Calgary Flames face the largest outbreak in the league so far, with 32 people affected.
More than 140 players and staff are on the sidelines in connection with the COVID-19 protocol.
A total of 49 NHL games have been postponed for reasons related to the coronavirus. That includes 43 games postponed since December 13 alone.
More or less 15 percent of NHL players are on the sidelines related to the COVID-19 protocol.
Among the list of postponed games is the one between the Blue Jackets and the Sabers, scheduled for Monday night in Columbus, as well as a visit of the Jackets to Buffalo, which was scheduled for Thursday.
On Tuesday night, the Devils were scheduled to play in Pittsburgh and the Coyotes in Seattle, but that was pushed back as well.
The Canadian was due to visit the Islanders, Rangers and Devils this week.
The league had postponed all games involving Canadian and US teams this week over concerns over cross-border travel.
The league and the NHL Players Association revealed on Sunday that the plan was to avoid the league’s complete shutdown.
“We will continue with the 2021-22 regular season schedule,” the NHL and NHLPA announced in a joint press release. While there has been a recent increase in positive COVID test results among players, coaches and hockey staff, there have been a low number of positive cases that have resulted in worrying symptoms or serious illness. “
A decision is expected this week regarding the planned participation of NHL players in the 2022 Olympics. Following recent developments, it would not be surprising if the league decides not to send the players to Beijing.
The consequences of the newer omicron variant are still unknown, including whether it causes more or less severe symptoms.
Scientists believe that omicron spreads even more easily than other strains of coronavirus, including the delta.
Early studies suggest that vaccinees will need a booster dose to help prevent infection, but even without the extra dose, the vaccination should still offer strong protection against serious illness and death.