Flames out through Dec. 23; Panthers, Avalanche paused due to COVID

On Friday, the NHL announced that Saturday's game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins was postponed because of COVID-19 issues impacting Boston. 

Several other teams had schedules altered later in the day. 

The league has since confirmed the Calgary Flames won't play before a home game against the Edmonton Oilers scheduled for Dec. 27 at the earliest. Calgary already had four games postponed because of a massive coronavirus outbreak that left nearly its entire team in the league's COVID-19 protocol, and matchups versus the Anaheim Ducks (next Tuesday) and Seattle Kraken (next Thursday) will now have to be rescheduled. 

The NHL also announced the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers are shut down through at least Dec. 26. Colorado, thus, has had four games postponed, while Florida has had three games called off. 

"The Flames, Avalanche and Panthers organizations have followed, and will continue to follow, all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of their Players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, state/provincial and federal agencies," the league explained.

According to Kristen Shilton of ESPN, the Panthers currently have seven players in the COVID-19 protocol. The Avalanche have five players on the coronavirus list. 

Multiple reports have said the NHL does not intend to pause the season despite COVID-19 outbreaks spreading throughout multiple clubs. As of Friday afternoon, the hockey show will go on.