NHL Pausing Season Following Tuesday Night's Games

Those hoping to watch a little NHL hockey over the Christmas break will have to settle for a YouTube viewing of Trent attempting to make Gretzky's head bleed for super fan 99 over here...That's because the NHL has decided to close it's doors from Wednesday through Saturday in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Better dust off the SEGA and fire up NHL '93.

Following tonight's games the league will push pause on its season until Sunday, when teams are allowed to return to their facilities. The league's insistence to continuing following such ridiculous COVID protocols has prompted the league to postpone 49 games.

Prior to announcing the holiday shutdown, the NHL had already postponed all games through Christmas that involved cross-border travel between the United States and Canada. Now, with roughly 15% of the league in COVID protocols, the NHL has mandated stricter protocols. Included are mandatory virus testing, social distancing and travel restrictions.

Washington is scheduled to visit Philadelphia this evening and Tampa Bay plays at Vegas in what will be the final two games before the shutdown. When players and staff return to team facilities on the 26th, they will be unable to enter their buildings until they produce a negative COVID test. Per the NHL and NHLPA, all Sunday practices must begin after 2:00pm local time -- because everyone knows -- COVID only spreads before 2:00pm.

As of now, games are scheduled to resume on Monday, December 27th.

If the NHL's strategy of pressing pause doesn't work, they can always try taking the game out and blowing on it.

 

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