NHL postpones next two games for Maple Leafs and Canucks

Hockey fans sign along to the Canadian national anthem prior to the NHL pre-season game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers in Vancouver, Saturday, October 9, 2021. (Jonathan Hayward/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

By Sportsnet staff

Posted December 18, 2021 2:23 pm.

Last Updated December 18, 2021 3:24 pm.

The NHL has postponed the next two games for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.

Both teams are currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak with nine players in COVID-19 protocol and were scheduled to play on Saturday night. The league has also postponed Toronto’s next game on Sunday against the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver’s game on Sunday against the Arizona Coyotes.

The Maple Leafs also had Thursday’s game against Calgary postponed due to an outbreak within the Flames organization.

Toronto added captain John Tavares, Alexander Kerfoot, Wayne Simmonds and Jason Spezza to the protocol list. Vancouver has Luke Schenn, Juho Lammikko, Brad Hunt, Tucker Poolman, Jason King (assistant coach), Tyler Motte in protocol.

After the Maple Leafs learned of the status of Tavares and Kerfoot, the team cancelled its practice at the University of British Columbia as a precaution.

“Since we came out west to Edmonton, I’ve haven’t left my hotel except for going for walks,” Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said this week. “Frankly, my priority right now is to get back to Toronto in time for Christmas healthy and safe. Get back to my family. I think everybody is like that.

“It’s even extra challenging being on the road right now, because I don’t want to be stuck here through Christmas. So, there’s lots of reasons to be smart right now.”

On Friday the NHL postponed Saturday’s game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston along with all Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche games through Christmas because of COVID-19 concerns.

On Saturday, the league also announced enhanced COVID-19 protocols for every team through to at least Jan. 7.

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