League tightens COVID-19 protocols in wake of outbreak
The NHL revised its virus protocols in a bid to keep the shortened season on track, but not before a fifth team was idled by COVID-19 problems.
Hours after the league announced changes visible in arenas and important behind the scenes, Colorado joined the growing list of U.S.-based teams shut down for virus concerns. The New Jersey Devils had games postponed through at least Saturday, Buffalo Sabres through Monday, Minnesota Wild through Tuesday and Avalanche through next Thursday, with the Vegas Golden Knights finally set to resume today.
Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog joined teammate Tyson Jost on the league’s COVID-19 unavailable list Thursday. There are currently 40 players from 11 teams on the list, which can include a positive test result unconfirmed or confirmed, symptomatic isolation, high risk close contact or quarantine for travel purposes.
“With about 20% of our season played, we are mindful of the fact that we might be seeing a more aggressive transmission of the virus and will continue to make adjustments to our protocols as we consult on a daily basis with,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
The adjustments include removing glass panels from behind benches for better air flow, making all meetings virtual and telling teams to space out locker rooms to provide 6 feet of space between inhabitants. The league said it was also considering portable air filters that would be installed by the benches.
“Every day things change, and you just go with the flow,” 66-year-old Dallas coach Rick Bowness said. Players and coaches aren’t allowed at the arena until 1 hour 45 minutes before the game unless they’re getting “necessary treatment or to engage in preparations in advance of the game. That’s a key tweak to the original interpretation of the rule preventing early arrivals, which didn’t go over well with some players.
The league is not yet considering adding a daily rapid test to go along with PCR testing, like the NBA did. PCR tests are considered to be more accurate, but there’s a 12-24 hour turnaround on results.
In the first three weeks of the season, almost 100 players have appeared on the list. Bettman said fewer than half the players in protocol have been because of a confirmed positive test and many of those were asymptomatic.
So far, 26 games have been postponed affecting 16 of the league’s 24 U.S.-based teams. Only one of the 40 players currently on the COVID list is from a Canadian team, and that is because Pierre-Luc Dubois is in quarantine after a trade from Columbus to Winnipeg.
SENATORS 3, CANADIENS 2 >>
Rookie Tim Stutzle had a goal and two assists as Ottawa snapped a nine-game losing skid. The Senators had not won since their season opener against Toronto.
RANGERS 4, CAPITALS 2 >>
Ryan Strome scored twice to help New York beat Washington. The Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin scored career goal No. 709 to pass Mike Gartner for sole possession of seventh place on the NHL list.
MAPLE LEAFS 7, CANUCKS 3 >> Jason Spezza scored the eighth hat trick of his career and first in nearly five years as Toronto routed Vancouver.
PREDATORS 6, PANTHERS 5, OT>> Filip Forsberg scored in regulation and overtime to lead Nashville
BLUE JACKETS 4, STARS 3 >>
Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic scored for the first time since being traded to Columbus.
COYOTES 4, BLUES 3 >> Antti Raanta made 39 saves, Tyler Pitlick and Nick Schmaltz scored first-period goals as Arizona got its first road win of the season.
JETS 4, FLAMES 1 >> Twogoals from Mason Appleton and 23 saves by Connor Hellebuyck paced Winnipeg.