Due to an increase in positive COVID-19 test results amongst players, the NHL is set to begin a leaguewide shutdown starting on Wednesday.
The National Hockey League (NHL) announced on Monday that they will be opening their annual holiday break two days earlier than years previous due to the Omicron variant and an uptick in positive cases of COVID throughout the league. The NHL's annual holiday break will be taking place until this Saturday - that means that five games that were previously scheduled for Thursday will be postponed until further notice.
As of right now - two games that are scheduled for Tuesday night are still slated to take place. After this, teams will have to get COVID tested and then will be able to return to practice on Sunday. Players and members of each team's traveling staff will have to obtain a negative COVID test before being allowed to return into their facilities.
15% of the league's 700+ players are currently in the COVID protocol. This is interesting as these COVID-19 cases may prevent NHL players of participating in the upcoming Beijing Olympics. Time will tell if this happens.