Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Golden Knights game vs. Blues postponed due to COVID-19

Vegas Golden Knights Vs St. Louis Blues

Wade Vandervort

Vegas Golden Knights acting head coach Kelly McCrimmon, center, watches his team play against the St. Louis Blues during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021.

Updated Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 | 2:46 p.m.

Tonight's game between the Golden Knights and the St. Louis Blues has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, the league announced today. A make-up date has not been announced.

The NHL said the postponement is due to a player, revealed later in the day to be defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, and a member of the coaching staff "entering the NHL’s COVID protocols." It is unknown if Pietrangelo and the coach tested positive for the virus. City National Arena, the team's practice facility, will be closed 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 NHL said in a statement. "The Golden Knights organization has and will continue to follow all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of its players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, state and national agencies."

Vegas played Tuesday’s game without its normal coaching staff after a coach tested positive for the virus earlier in the day. General manager Kelly McCrimmon filled in as head coach, and the Silver Knights coaching staff was called on to assist.

It is not known when the coach’s test that came back positive was administered or when he was last around players. The coach’s name was not revealed.

Vegas played Tuesday’s game, a 5-4 shootout loss to the Blues, and closed its facility on Wednesday. News reports of a possible positive test trickled in before the 10 a.m. practice on Thursday. The team announced morning skate had been canceled, and the league's announcement came shortly after.

This is the first Golden Knights game this season postponed because of the pandemic, but not the first NHL game. The Dallas Stars had to delay the start of their season because of an outbreak within the team, affecting games against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Carolina Hurricanes also had a game postponed after positive tests among players.

The Blues return to Las Vegas for the final two games of the regular season on May 7 and May 8, and an additional game could be tacked on to the end of the season, if necessary.

The Golden Knights' next games are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday against the Sharks in Glendale, Arizona. The Sharks were unable to play those games at their home arena due to local virus protocols.

Vegas is 5-1-1 this season and in first place in the West Division.

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