NHL postpones two Islanders games due to COVID-19 outbreak

The New York Islanders won't be back on the ice until December after the NHL announced Saturday that the team's next two games have been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the team.

The Islanders reportedly requested postponements earlier in the week, according to David Pagnotta of NHL Network, but were denied and had to play against the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins with a depleted roster. Zdeno Chara, Anders Lee, Kieffer Bellows, Ross Johnston, Adam Pelech and Andy Greene were all in COVID protocol for the team's Friday night game against the Penguins, and the Islanders added Casey Cizikas to the list Saturday.

The 1-0 loss to the Penguins was an eighth consecutive defeat for the Islanders, who fell to 5-10-2 on the season.

The Islanders were scheduled to face the Rangers on Sunday and the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. New York's games will be postponed, and the team won't resume play until at least December. The Islanders are currently scheduled to return to action on Thursday, Dec. 2 against the San Jose Sharks.

Earlier in the 2021-22 season, three Ottawa Senators games were postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak.