Monday night’s game between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens has been postponed, the NHL has announced.
The decision comes after two Canadiens players entered the league’s COVID protocols earlier in the day.
The NHL’s release added that the decision was made by the medical groups for the league, NHLPA and the two clubs, and that a further update will be provided Tuesday.
Canadiens forwards Jesper Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia were the two added to the league’s COVID Protocol List early Monday. Players on said list have not necessarily tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and could be added for other reasons such as contact tracing determining they came in close contact with someone with the virus.
Both Kotkaniemi and Armia participated in the team’s morning skate on Monday, and Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks in Montreal. Late Monday, the Canadiens announced they would close their practice facility on Tuesday, with players and staff set to be tested Tuesday morning, as usual.
The Oilers currently do not have any players on the Protocol List.
Per the league, 43 games have been postponed thus far since the beginning of the 2020-21 campaign, with 38 of those postponed due to COVID protocols (the other five due to weather-related issues).
Monday’s announcement marks the first time this season that the league’s COVID protocols have caused a game to be postponed within the all-Canadian North Division.
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