Originally, there were supposed to be 10 National Hockey League games on Saturday; there are only five left.
NHL officials announced that the Toronto Maple Leafs-Canucks duel in Vancouver had to be postponed due to an increase in the number of players from both teams enrolled in the league’s COVID protocols -19.
By the time the decision was announced, six Canucks players, including Tyler Myers, and assistant coach Jason King had been signed into those protocols.
The Maple Leafs were also affected with four players in the protocols, including John Tavares and veteran Jason Spezza.
This postponement is in addition to the four meetings scheduled for Saturday that had already been postponed, including that between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens, at the Bell Center.
In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, the NHL also announced that the games the Maple Leafs and Canucks were scheduled to play on Sunday, against the Seattle Kraken and Arizona Coyotes respectively, had also been postponed.
In addition, all games the Bruins and Nashville Predators were scheduled to play between now and the Christmas break will not be on the scheduled dates.
In the case of the Bruins, the move affects Sunday’s game in Ottawa and home games against the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche on December 21 and 23.
As for the Predators, three games are postponed, those of December 19 against the Hurricanes, in Carolina, of December 21 against the Winnipeg Jets and of December 23 against the Panthers, in Florida.
In addition, the Detroit Red Wings have entered in the protocols the names of head coach Jeff Blashill, his assistant Alex Tanguay and three players.
The Red Wings, who have the only unvaccinated player in the league – Tyler Bertuzzi – are due to host the New Jersey Devils in one of five games remaining on Saturday night.
On Friday, the NHL announced that the Calgary Avalanche, Panthers and Flames will not play until the return of the Christmas break due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
While postponed matches may be rescheduled, all eyes are now on the league schedule.
The NHL plans to allow players to participate in the Beijing Olympics in February, unless the disruption related to COVID-19 becomes too severe.
The NHL has until January 10 to withdraw from the Games without incurring a financial penalty. However, she retains the right to cancel her plans until the moment the players have to fly to Beijing.