NHL postpones 12 cross-border games
The NHL postponed a dozen games originally scheduled from Dec. 20-23 "due to the concern about cross-border travel and given the fluid nature of federal travel restrictions."
All matchups featuring a Canada-based club versus an American team during that span will take place at a later date.
Here are the games that the league will reschedule:
| Date | Away | Home |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 20 | Montreal Canadiens | New York Islanders |
| Dec. 20 | Anaheim Ducks | Edmonton Oilers |
| Dec. 21 | St. Louis Blues | Ottawa Senators |
| Dec. 21 | Vancouver Canucks | San Jose Sharks |
| Dec. 22 | Canadiens | New York Rangers |
| Dec. 22 | Winnipeg Jets | Dallas Stars |
| Dec. 22 | Oilers | Los Angeles Kings |
| Dec. 23 | Blues | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Dec. 23 | Carolina Hurricanes | Senators |
| Dec. 23 | Canadiens | New Jersey Devils |
| Dec. 23 | Ducks | Canucks |
| Dec. 23 | Oilers | Sharks |
The NHL also said Sunday that its regular-season schedule will continue aside from those postponements, and a decision on the league's Olympic participation is expected "in the coming days."
Shortly after the NHL revealed its cross-border decision Sunday, the league also confirmed the Detroit Red Wings are holding off on playing through at least Dec. 26. Detroit had two games scheduled in that span - a home date against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday and a road clash with the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
A rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in both countries has already forced five clubs to shut down temporarily and two more to halt play this weekend. On Friday, the NHL postponed all Calgary Flames, Avalanche, and Florida Panthers games until at least Dec. 27. On Saturday, the league added the Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators to that list while putting the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks on pause through Sunday.
The NHL's holiday break will run from Dec. 24-26.