Thursday’s game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the St. Louis Blues has been postponed, the league announced.
A player and another member of the Golden Knights coaching staff has entered COVID-19 protocol, and team facilities have been shut down until further notice.
“The decision was made by the League’s, NHLPA’s and Club’s medical groups after recent tests warranted more caution while the League continues to analyze test results in the coming days,” the league said in a statement.
TSN first reported the potential postponement.
Media was allowed inside City National Arena five minutes before the 10 a.m. scheduled morning skate was to take place. By 10:01, no players were on the ice and nets were not in the respective creases. At 10:15, the Golden Knights canceled morning skate and were waiting on official word from the league.
The announcement came five minutes later.
The Golden Knights coaching staff self-isolated out of an abundance of caution prior to Tuesday’s game against the Blues due to COVID tracing within the staff. General manager Kelly McCrimmon served as the acting coach in place of Pete DeBoer, while the Henderson Silver Knights coaching staff were assistants.
McCrimmon confirmed after the game that a member of the Vegas staff tested positive. The Golden Knights closed their facilities Wednesday out of caution.
The Silver Knights’ 11:30 a.m. practice at Orleans Arena is still going on as scheduled, a Golden Knights spokesperson confirmed.
This is Vegas’ first game postponed due to the pandemic, but the Knights are the fourth team to have games moved. The Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes had games moved due to positive tests.
The league announced adjustments to the Golden Knights’ schedule will be made within 24-48 hours. Vegas was set to play the San Jose Sharks in Glendale, Arizona for a two-game series starting Monday, then returning home for a two-game set against the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 5-7.
Vegas (5-1-1) lost 5-4 in a shootout to St. Louis on Tuesday.