Blues-Golden Knights game postponed

NHL calls game off for Thursday after a 

Vegas player, coach entered COVID-19 protocol

By LOU KORAC
The NHL announced early Thursday afternoon that as a result of a player and another member of the Vegas Golden Knights coaching staff entering the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols, tonight's game against the Blues has been postponed.

It was released on Thursday afternoon that the Vegas player turned out to be former Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo, who was added to the list due to 1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the positive test protocol; 2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the positive test protocol; 3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the positive test protocol; 4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or 5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol.

Said players who are on the list are unavailable to their teams to practice, travel or play in games due to COVID protocols.

The decision was made by the league's, the 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 Blues, who defeated the Golden Knights 5-4 in a shootout on Tuesday, are slated to fly to Anaheim for a two-game set against the Ducks on Saturday ad Sunday.

The Golden Knights played the game Tuesday with its entire coaching staff, including head coach Peter DeBoer, in quarantine and were coached by the Golden Knights' American Hockey League coaches from the Henderson Silver Knights and Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon.

Vegas' training facilities have been closed, effective immediately, and will remain closed until further notice. 

The NHL is in the process of reviewing and revising the Golden Knights’ regular season schedule and it is expected that a decision on next week’s games will be made in the next 24-48 hours, including tonight's scheduled game. 

The Blues do not have an extended break in their schedule until March 7 when they're off from March 7-11 before scheduled to host Vegas March 12-13. They also have off days March 21-25 after playing two games in Los Angeles and two in Anaheim. The Blues end their regular season at Vegas May 7-8.

The Blues, instead of holding an optional morning skate prior to the game tonight at T-Mobile Arena, held a full practice instead. They were to do a media session afterwards but that was canceled.