NHL postpones seven more games due to COVID-19 issues

The COVID-19 issues affecting the New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild aren't improving as of the start of the month's second week. 

On Monday, the NHL confirmed that the Devils won't be cleared to play the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday and Saturday. New Jersey's matchup against the Boston Bruins scheduled for Feb. 15 is also postponed. 

The Devils' facilities have been closed since Feb. 1, and 16 players are currently in the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. New Jersey hasn't competed since notching a win over Buffalo on Jan. 31. 

The Sabres have nine players and coach Ralph Krueger, who tested positive for the coronavirus, listed in the protocol. Their games against the Washington Capitals scheduled for Thursday and Saturday are postponed. Buffalo also hasn't played since the Jan. 31 contest against New Jersey and hasn't opened its facilities since last Tuesday. 

Minnesota also has nine players on the protocol list and won't play the St. Louis Blues on Thursday or the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The Wild have been idle since suffering a loss to the Colorado Avalanche last Tuesday. 

"A decision on when the three teams can resume practice and game play will be made by the medical groups of the NHL, NHL Players' Association and each team in the coming days," the league added in its official statement. 

According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, Colorado is on a coronavirus-related break through at least the start of the weekend.  

The NHL has postponed 33 games, in total, this season and needs to reschedule 15 contests as of early Monday evening.