NHL delays Canucks’ return from outbreak
The NHL has delayed the Vancouver Canucks’ return to competition.
The Canucks, who have not played a game since March 24 due to a COVID-19 outbreak, had been scheduled to host the Edmonton Oilers tonight. The league announced Thursday the team would not play that game and did not immediately set a new date for Vancouver’s return.
The decision was made with input from the NHL Players’ Association and medical staff from teams, the NHL said.
Before the league made the announcement, Vancouver forward J.T. Miller said it would be “very challenging and not very safe” to play tonight because the pandemic-hit team has not had enough time to recover and get back in shape. LIGHTNING 3, PANTHERS 2 » Victor Hedman scored 54 seconds into overtime to give Tampa Bay the victory at home. The Lightning remained tied for first place in the Central Division with Carolina, though the Hurricanes have a game in hand. Florida is one point back.
JETS 5, MAPLE LEAFS 2 » Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, Connor Helleybuck made 31 saves and Winnipeg won at Toronto. The Jets moved within three points of the Leafs for the top spot in the North Division.
SABRES 5, CAPITALS 2 » Anders Bjork scored his first goal with his new team and added an assist, helping Buffalo spoil Nicklas Backstrom’s 1,000th game as the Sabres won at Washington. BRUINS 4, ISLANDERS » Taylor Hall scored his first goal for Boston and Tuukka Rask stopped 22 shots to earn his first victory since February as the Bruins dominated visiting New York.
FLYERS 2, PENGUINS 1 » Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier scored in a shootout to give Philadelphia the victory at Pittsburgh.
RED WINGS 4, BLACKHAWKS 1» Jakub Vrana scored in his Detroit debut, and Troy Stecher added two goals for the host Red Wings in a victory over Chicago. HURRICANES 4, PREDATORS 1» Warren Foegele scored the first of three Carolina goals in under eight minutes and the Hurricanes beat visiting Nashville to snap a two-game skid. RANGERS 4, DEVILS 0 » Artemi Panarin had two goals and an assist, Igor Shesterkin got his second straight shutout, and New York beat visiting New Jersey.