NHL announces leaguewide shutdown amid COVID outbreak

The NHL is shutting down all games until Dec. 27 with COVID-19 cases surging, the league announced Monday in a joint statement with the NHL Players' Association.

"With no games currently scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 22, because of COVID-related postponements, the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association have agreed to postpone the five games that remain scheduled on Thursday, Dec. 23, in order to begin the collectively-bargained Holiday Break effective with the conclusion of games tomorrow night, Dec. 21," a statement reads.

The Holiday Break is a three-day break from Dec. 24 to Dec. 26 with no games. Following the announcement from the league, only two games will be played Tuesday (Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, and Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vegas Golden Knights) before the shutdown begins.

COVID cases are surging throughout the sports world, forcing games to be postponed. The NHL was hit particularly hard and postponed dozens of games in the last week alone before finally considering a league-wide shutdown.

According to the NHL and NHLPA statement, practices will resume on Dec. 26 before play restarts on Dec. 27.