Carolina-Nashville 1st postponement

NASHVILLE, TENN. » The NHL has postponed its first game since the league’s season began, calling off Tuesday’s game between Carolina and the Predators hours after the Hurricanes won the first of a two-game set in Nashville.

“The decision was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts,” the league said.

The NHL did not specify which team prompted the postponement, though four Hurricanes players were added to the COVID-19 list Tuesday. The NHL already postponed the start of Dallas’ season after six players and two staff members tested positive for the virus.

Hurricanes players Warren Foegele, Jordan Martinook, Jaccob Slavin and Teuvo Teravainen joined captain Jordan Staal on the unavailable list because of COVID-19 protocols. Staal had been on that list since Friday, with the Hurricanes losing at Detroit on Saturday then winning 4-2 at Nashville on Monday in that span.

Nashville had forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Luca Sbisa on the unavailability list Jan. 13 and 14 with the Predators claiming Sbisa off waivers from Winnipeg on Jan. 12.

PENGUINS 5, CAPITALS 4 » Sidney Crosby scored 1:11 into overtime, lifting Pittsburgh to a victory over Washington.

Crosby collected his third goal of the season when he pounced on a rebound off a Kris Letang shot and flipped it by Vitek Vanecek and into the open net to give the Penguins their second win over their rivals in three days. PANTHERS 5, BLACKHAWKS 4 » Frank Vatrano scored 2:50 into overtime, and Florida beat winless Chicago.

Avs, Wild swap d-men

DENVER » Colorado and Minnesota swapped veteran defensemen, with the Avalanche acquiring Greg Pateryn and the Wild receiving Ian Cole.

The trade represents a significant salary-cap savings for Colorado from Cole’s

$4.25 million hit to Pateryn’s

$2.25 million.